According to Goal.com, Serge Gnabry remains in Jürgen Klopp's Germany squad despite playing only 13 minutes over the past five months.

Last week, Jürgen Klopp's first squad announcement as Germany's new head coach created quite a surprise. The new national team coach called up 16 new players to his 44-man squad, including one who hadn't played in over five months before Klopp took over: Serge Gnabry.

The 31-year-old forward suffered a serious adductor injury in mid-April, causing him to miss the end of FC Bayern Munich's season, the World Cup in North America, preseason preparations, and the start of the new season. Gnabry only returned to action one day after the squad announcement, playing 13 minutes in Bayern's 7-0 victory over Union Berlin.

Klopp's decision to call Gnabry up remains a clear signal of confidence. Moreover, Gnabry is one of only four players permitted to stay with the national team throughout the international break, alongside Nico Schlotterbeck, Musiala, and Finn Dahmen.

For some unselected players, Klopp's special consideration for Gnabry and his explanations for their omissions may seem surprising. Ünder was left out because, according to Klopp, he "hasn't truly entered the season." Despite his adductor injury, Ünder has played six matches this season with four assists. Sané has played in every official game for Galatasaray this season, but Klopp explained he "hasn't found his true form."

Given the recent unimpressive performances of both players, it's understandable why Klopp didn't include them and instead looked for fresh attacking talent. However, Gnabry is clearly even less prepared than Ünder and Sané—he "hasn't truly entered the season" and "hasn't found his form." He also lacks match rhythm and his physical condition is far from 100%. The difference is that, unlike these two actual World Cup stars who were overlooked, Klopp still believes Gnabry can play an important role in Germany's fresh start.

Gnabry has genuinely benefited from missing that embarrassing World Cup, which means he doesn't carry that burden in Klopp's and fans' eyes. Additionally, at 31, he's in the twilight of his career. In this 44-man squad, only captain Joshua Kimmich (also 31) and new goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (34) are older than Gnabry.

Overall, Gnabry's recent turnaround is clear. In fact, not long ago he faced harsh criticism, both at the national level and at FC Bayern Munich—too expensive, injured too often, and more. Like Sané, Goretzka, and sometimes even Kimmich, Gnabry represented a certain decline in German football to some extent.

By spring 2025, Gnabry seemed destined to leave Bayern. Then fate suddenly turned in his favor. Thomas Müller moved to Vancouver, Musiala suffered a serious injury, and Bayern had no plans to spend heavily on new signings. Serge Nagelsmann offered him a genuine opportunity in the number 10 position, and Gnabry seized this unexpected chance.

Last season, he directly contributed to 21 goals, and as a free agent alongside Kane, Olise, and Luis Díaz, he added attacking depth to Bayern—particularly in the Champions League, where he delivered several standout performances. When Bayern beat Paris Saint-Germain in the group stage, Gnabry was nearly flawless in the first half before being substituted in the second half after Díaz was sent off. He also played well in the round of 16 against Atalanta and the semifinal against Real Madrid. Meanwhile, what once seemed impossible became reality: Gnabry signed a new contract with FC Bayern Munich in February, extending through 2028.

The only thing that truly stopped him was a serious injury before the most crucial part of the season. If Gnabry can maintain the form he showed against Paris Saint-Germain in the group stage, what might have happened in the semifinal?

Over the past few months, Gnabry has been focused on recovery, and competition for his preferred attacking midfield position at Bayern has intensified significantly. Following an impressive World Cup performance, Bayern signed Ismael Saïbari from PSV Eindhoven for 50 million euros. Musiala has just returned to near his best form, and Olise and Lennart Czyborra can also play centrally.

As Gnabry prepares to return to action against Union Berlin, head coach Vincent Kompany said, "We haven't forgotten how well he played last season." Kompany believes that if Gnabry "returns to his level, the other players in the same position will have to perform well too." "This will create healthy competition within the team, which is ultimately what we want."

With Klopp's confidence, Gnabry is in a comfortable position to regain his form within the national team framework. Gnabry said, "For me, him calling me up to maintain match rhythm is a huge bonus." He may well return to the Germany squad for these four matches.

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