Definitely, it's time for the big comebacks in the national selections.

Like Karim Benzema with the Blues, two great old-timers were recalled to the German team by Joachim Löw, who eventually gave in.

Two years after excluding Thomas Müller and Mats Hummels, the German coach finally called them up for the Euro this summer (June 11-July 11) in order to provide experience in a Mannschaft with chaotic results for months.

The two 2014 world champions had borne the brunt of the cleaning up after the debacle of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Joachim Löw wanted to make a clean sweep of the past to launch a new generation.

But a string of poor results, including a historic 6-0 humiliation in Spain in November and a home loss to modest North Macedonia in March, have him backtracked.

“No, it was not a mistake, however, he defended himself on Wednesday by revealing his list of 26 players for the Euro.

We made this decision at the time because we wanted to leave space and time for young players to develop.

But the pandemic slowed that progression, and now was a good time to call them back.

"

Müller, 31, and Hummels, 32, “know us well,” he continued, “they have been in the national team for a long time and know our philosophy.

They are respected and accepted by the youngest, for their performance and for their experience ”.

"On to the EURO"

The two ghosts reacted with glee to their summons: “I really want a new chapter,” Hummels wrote on Instagram, while Müller said, “Back!

Forward for the Euro.

I'm ready.

On the other hand, Jérôme Boateng, who had been banned from the Mannschaft at the same time as his two accomplices, was not recalled to him.

This reminder of the old grumblers came to Joachim Löw under pressure from both the results and a public opinion which increasingly understood his obstinacy in depriving himself of two of the best German players.

Several great voices of German football had pleaded for their return, and especially for that of Müller, breathtaking for two seasons with his club.

"He is an extremely important player not only on the field, but also in the locker room, he is a leader", launched Saturday Lothar Matthäus, the record holder of the selections (150).

Michael Ballack, former captain of the Mannschaft, had also pleaded for the Bavarian: “He has this particular something which can be very important in this kind of tournament.

He has everything it takes to be the leader of this team in difficult circumstances, ”he said.

Eight Bayern players

Uli Hoeness, 1974 world champion and honorary president of Bayern, had the same certainties: “Müller absolutely has his place in the national team, he scores goals and he would be useful to any team in the world […].

Löw cannot give up on a player like that, ”he said a few days ago.

Two other world title executives in Brazil will also be in the squad: captain Manuel Neuer and midfielder Toni Kroos, who have never been sidelined.

Bayern Munich often provides the largest contingent, with eight players, including a semi-surprise: Jamal Musiala, the little pearl of the 18-year-old attack, binational who opted for Germany after playing in the selections of young people for England.

Among the nominations that were not obvious, Kevin Volland is also rewarded for his good season in Monaco.

He will be the only resident of L1 in the German group, Parisians Thilo Kehrer and Julian Draxler not being selected.

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