'He asked if I was drunk!' - Ouedraogo on Nagelsmann's phone call

Assan Ouedraogo Germany 2025

Assan Ouedraogo has been surprisingly called up to the German national team for the 2026 World Cup. The RB Leipzig youngster was added to replace the injured Lennart Karl and has now humorously described how he learned of his good fortune.

An 'explosion of emotions' under the Spanish sun

Bayern Munich's Karl sustained a severe thigh injury during Die Mannschaft's final training session, and Ouedraogo then became Nagelsmann's choice to replace the teenager. The news of his nomination reached Ouedraogo at a moment of absolute relaxation. The 20-year-old was enjoying his vacation in Marbella, Spain, when the phone suddenly rang and national team coach Nagelsmann was on the other end of the line. For the Leipzig midfielder, this moment changed everything.

"I was lying on the lounger, incredibly relaxed. Then the call came and I went from zero to 180 in an instant, an explosion of emotions," Ouedraogo described the situation to Sky Germany. To maintain the confidentiality of the conversation and let the news sink in, he hastily made his escape: "I ran around the corner so no one would hear me."

ASSAN OUEDRAOGO LEIPZIG

An unusual question from the national coach

The phone call wasn't entirely formal, however. Since Ouedraogo was on vacation with his friends, Nagelsmann allowed himself a little joke, or at least wanted to make sure his counterpart was of sound mind. "He even asked me if I was drunk," the Leipzig player revealed with a laugh. The youngster's reply, however, was prompt and serious.

Ouedraogo made it clear that the coach shouldn't worry about his lifestyle. "I don't drink anyway, and I immediately said: Everything's fine," the midfielder explained.

Disbelief in the family and logistical hurdles

After his meeting with Nagelsmann, Ouedraogo wanted to immediately share his pride with his loved ones. However, this proved more difficult than expected, as his parents were initially unreachable. "The first person I contacted was my older sister, but she didn't believe me at first," he recounted, describing the amusing moment of skepticism within the family.

For the professional footballer, a logistical race against time then began. Instead of continuing to relax in the sun, he immediately returned to Germany. "I flew straight home from my vacation to pick up my football boots. Otherwise, I had everything ready," he explained.

Germany v Slovakia - FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier

The best season despite setbacks

Despite some injury-related problems in recent months, Ouedraogo is extremely positive about his current development. He sees his selection for the World Cup as the crowning achievement of what has been an outstanding year for him personally. He feels ready to help Nagelsmann's team immediately.

"I'm in top form," the Leipzig native confidently stated. Reflecting on his career and his nomination, he added: "Despite the injuries, this is the best season of my life."