'I already had a war in summer': Undav's fight against criticism

VfB Stuttgart forward Deniz Undav has vowed to fight back yet again after criticism on his slow start into the season which has resulted in not being nominated by new national team coach Jürgen Klopp.

"I speak openly, I don't mince my words, I say what I think, whether it's negative or positive. And as I said, I've often had problems, I often have to prove myself, as I said," Undav told Sky TV after Stuttgart's 1-0 Bundesliga defeat against leaders Borussia Dortmund .

"I already had a war this summer, and now I have to prove myself again."

Undav is yet to score this season and despite nine goals in 13 Germany caps, including three as a substitute at the World Cup in summer, never had a full breakthrough in the national team.

Then coach Julian Nagelsmann also made a disrespectful remark towards him after scored a late winner in a March friendly against Ghana , for which Nagelsmann later apologised.

Undav has not had the classic football career through a top academy but rather worked his way up from fourth-tier Havelse to Stuttgart, where he has played since 2023 and is their new captain. He earned his first Germany cap at age 27.

"I've had that my whole life, no matter where I was, it didn't work out at first because people say, your body language, you're not a sprinter. But that's how it's been my whole life," he said.

"So I had 39 goals and assists last year and my body language was the same. That's why you first have to get used to it. And when you come into contact with it and know me as a person, then you know how to handle it."

The fitness debate arose again when Klopp didn't pick him into the Nations League squad on Thursday.

But Undav vowed: "Hopefully in November, when I can recommend myself and am back in the squad, the national team coach will know what kind of person I am."