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"Wouldn't go again": Kerem Demirbay regrets playing for the DFB team
Germany⚽ Sports6 hr. ago

"Wouldn't go again": Kerem Demirbay regrets playing for the DFB team

Former German national football player Kerem Demirbay has expressed regret over his decision to play for Germany rather than Turkey. Born in North Rhine-Westphalia, he represented Turkey in youth teams but did not receive a call-up from the Turkish federation. This absence led to his eventual selection by Germany under coach Joachim Löw in 2017, where he made two appearances, including scoring a goal at the Confederations Cup. Demirbay now states he would not return to the German national team if offered again, emphasizing his identity as a Turk. His professional career included stints at TSG Hoffenheim, Bayer Leverkusen, and later moves to Galatasaray Istanbul and Kasimpasa. He credits his breakthrough to his time at Hoffenheim under coach Julian Nagelsmann.

Former German international Kerem Demirbay has expressed regret over his decision to represent Germany instead of Turkey during his career. Speaking with Turkish YouTuber Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, the 33-year-old midfielder stated he would not accept a call-up to the German national team again. “If they called me today, I wouldn’t go,” Demirbay said. “Because I’m Turkish. I’m Turkish. My mother and father are Turks.” Born in North Rhine-Westphalia, Demirbay played for Turkey’s youth teams before eventually joining the German senior squad. He spent one-and-a-half years trying to secure a spot with the Turkish federation but was unsuccessful. “That is the only thing that really made me sad throughout my entire career,” he said. Demirbay made two appearances for Germany in 2017. His debut came in a friendly against Denmark, while his second appearance saw him score a goal in the Confederations Cup match against Cameroon. Throughout his professional career, Demirbay played for several clubs including TSG Hoffenheim and Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. His breakthrough came at Hoffenheim under coach Julian Nagelsmann, which led to his inclusion in the German national team in 2017. In the summer of 2023, Demirbay moved from Leverkusen to Galatasaray Istanbul in the Turkish Super League. Since January 2026, he has been playing for Kasimpasa in Istanbul.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

2 reports

Die Welt logoDie WeltIndependent🔒CenterFactual 98Objective 9517 hr. ago
I'm Turkish Demirbay regrets decision for Germany

Former German international footballer Kerem Demirbay, born in Germany to Turkish parents, has expressed regret over his decision to represent Germany rather than Turkey. Born in North Rhine-Westphalia, Demirbay played for German youth teams but had previously sought selection by the Turkish national team, which did not materialize. He made two appearances for Germany in 2017, including scoring in the Confederations Cup. Despite his success in German clubs like Bayern Munich and Hoffenheim, he now identifies more strongly with Turkey, stating he would not accept a call-up from Germany again. Demirbay currently plays for Istanbul-based club Kasimpasa after moving from Galatasaray.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses on a sports-related personal statement by a player regarding his national identity and career choices. There is no political framing, bias, or controversy in the content. The piece is purely biographical and does not involve political issues, policies, or officials.

Why factuality (98): The article accurately reports that Kerem Demirbay regrets playing for Germany rather than Turkey, citing his interview with a Turkish YouTuber. It provides specific details such as his birthplace, career moves, and the timeline of his national team involvement. The only minor discrepancy is the lac

Why objectivity (95): The article presents the information neutrally, quoting Demirbay directly and providing background context without overt bias. The tone remains objective, focusing on reporting facts rather than taking a stance on his decision.

n-tv logon-tvIndependentCenterFactual 97Objective 946 hr. ago
"Wouldn't go again": Kerem Demirbay regrets playing for the DFB team

Former German national football player Kerem Demirbay has expressed regret over his decision to play for Germany rather than Turkey. Born in North Rhine-Westphalia, he represented Turkey in youth teams but did not receive a call-up from the Turkish federation. This absence led to his eventual selection by Germany under coach Joachim Löw in 2017, where he made two appearances, including scoring a goal at the Confederations Cup. Demirbay now states he would not return to the German national team if offered again, emphasizing his identity as a Turk. His professional career included stints at TSG Hoffenheim, Bayer Leverkusen, and later moves to Galatasaray Istanbul and Kasimpasa. He credits his breakthrough to his time at Hoffenheim under coach Julian Nagelsmann.

Bias read (Center): The article discusses a sports-related statement by a former athlete regarding personal choices in international representation. There is no political framing, bias, or controversy in the content. The focus remains on the individual’s career decisions and does not involve political commentary or ide

Why factuality (97): This article aligns closely with the first in terms of factual content, confirming Demirbay’s regret over representing Germany instead of Turkey. It includes additional details like his matches under Joachim Löw and his goal in the Confederations Cup. These additions do not contradict the main narra

Why objectivity (94): The article maintains a largely neutral tone, presenting Demirbay’s statements without editorializing. However, the inclusion of phrases like 'bereut es' and direct quotes may slightly lean toward emphasizing his sentiment, though it does not compromise overall neutrality.

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