Mats Hummels scorned his non-selection by Julian Naglesmann for the summer's European Championships after the German national team coach snubbed him over "age-related things".
Hummels, 35, was left out of Naglesmann's summer squad despite an impressive season for the defender with Borussia Dortmund, even scoring the game-winner against Paris Saint-Germain to book the club a place in the Champions League final against Real Madrid at Wembley this weekend.
While Edin Terzić’s Dortmund finished an underwhelming fifth in the Bundesliga this season, Hummels was a key cog in Dortmund's journey to Wembley and his displays for Dortmund towards the tail end of the year have reportedly piqued interest from Juventus and AC Milan.
Even so, the veteran centre-back will not be participating in Germany's home Euros next month, and Hummels has opened up on the cursory conversation shared with Naglesmann over the decision.
Speaking to German outlet Sport Bild, Hummels revealed that the pair's conversation didn't even last two minutes.
"I had to go to training. But I don't need a long conversation or a long explanation at times like this. That was enough for me," Hummels said. The former Bayern Munich player went on to say that the decision was not rooted in concerns over Hummels' ability to accept a bit-part or bench role at the tournament but rather "age-related things like fitness".
Hummels was left out of Naglesmann's squad for two friendlies in March after a poor run of form with Dortmund. The camp acted largely as a final audition for the summer's squad. And while the German can understand the cohesion honed amongst teammates over that period, he maintained that his status as one of Germany's best defenders on offer makes the snub all the more difficult to take.
“I can understand the idea that a group has been growing since March," he said. "It's bitter for me as an individual because I'm currently one of the five best defenders in Germany. I have the self-confidence to say that."
He added: "If I'd had a phase like the one I had recently before the squad was announced in March, maybe I would have been called up - for the European Championship squad now as well.”
Hummels very nearly missed Euro 2020 when snubbed by then-manager Joachim Löw in 2019 but was reinstated with some surprise alongside Thomas Muller before the summer.
Germany begin their Euro 2024 campaign on June 3 when they host Scotland in the tournament's first match.
pehabkpyz
1
if sergio ramos or maldini heard that they would probably kill him
stupid comment
Jadabdknot
0
if sergio ramos or maldini heard that they would probably kill him
dumb
Fopaklntz
2
To think there're more older players than Hummels in the German squad shows his hatred for Hummels. With his current form,age has no barrier, and the coach will regret it.
Pukadklnru
1
if sergio ramos or maldini heard that they would probably kill him
Owiz
3
He chose his words carefully, he said one of the best....I like this man
Jaudestyz
1
pepe as better 2ouble than mattshumals and sole... these 2wo are very very leazy defender of all time... and u are a kids
Sorry I made a mistake..I should have indicate replies from sensible people only are allowed
yeabdklrst
2
AGE? WHAT BOUT MULLER 34 AND NOUER 38.
pucelopyz
0
Germany 🇩🇪 is playing better under JN let’s trust him
what do you mean let's trust him. us who? us Germans?😂
cadcdesty
1
Germany 🇩🇪 is playing better under JN let’s trust him
yeabdklrst
3
Age? Why he was youngest Coach ever to coach at the age of 32, tacking lepzing to high-level including champions league quarter final, because somebody didn't look at his younger age, but commitment and professional. So i do like to believe isn't about age, maybe something else.
Hobbeikmz
0
Yea the first time a footballer will give credit to himself and I’m in support of that..I see no center back better than him this season and he got the experience too and someone should remind the coach that uncle Pepe is going to Euro with Portugal at over 40 years
pepe as better 2ouble than mattshumals and sole... these 2wo are very very leazy defender of all time... and u are a kids
Niudempu
1
I said it sometime before that.... this German coach would be foolish to snub the Rock...matt Hummel's
Jaudestyz
2
Yea the first time a footballer will give credit to himself and I’m in support of that..I see no center back better than him this season and he got the experience too and someone should remind the coach that uncle Pepe is going to Euro with Portugal at over 40 years
suteilstz
1
How are they playing on June 3 when it doesn’t start until the 14th, this site gets so many details wrong all the time
it autty
Capbclmnrz
4
How are they playing on June 3 when it doesn’t start until the 14th, this site gets so many details wrong all the time
Yorokiri
0
one of the best overall player in the UCL this season..
Dakabcmnsz
3
"The German coach is just fucked up !"
nucilnprsz
4
and he is right. how can you snub hummel with this his current form
سردارایوب۔اکاخیل
0
best in business