Factory Worker to World Cup Star: Undav's Iconic Moment Mirrors Rossi's Comfort

A moment of emotional connection between Germany's coach Julian Nagelsmann and player Deniz Undav at the World Cup has drawn parallels to an iconic scene from Hungary's Euro 2021 campaign. Then, Hungarian coach Marco Rossi comforted player András Schäfer after their elimination against Germany.

While the emotions were opposite – joy for Germany, sorrow for Hungary – the bond between coach and player is a similar symbol. Nagelsmann's decision to bring on Undav, who has scored nine goals in eleven national team appearances, was met with applause. Nagelsmann hinted Undav might start the next match, stating, "Why would I break his momentum?" He added that Undav is in top form and immediately effective, even suggesting he could be a starter.

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Why would I break his momentum? He doesn't need time to get into his stride, he can come in immediately. He is in his best form at the World Cup. I could even put him in the starting team. Everyone wants to start, but I think he is satisfied with this role now because he plays an important part.

Undav's path to the World Cup is extraordinary. At 17, he juggled a full-time factory job, operating a laser machine eight hours a day, with playing in the German fourth division. He woke around 4 a.m. for work before training, returning home late. "I had to do this job to survive," Undav told the BBC, recalling his heartbreak at being told by Werder Bremen at age 14 that he was too short.

His professional career took off after joining Union Saint-Gilloise in 2020, leading them to promotion and scoring 25 goals in the top flight. Now, the former factory worker is a potential German hero on the world stage.

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When they told me at 14 that I had no future at Werder Bremen because I was too short, my heart was broken. But I didn't give up. At 17, I moved out of home and signed for fourth-division club Havelse, where I combined football with a full-time factory job, operating a laser machine for eight hours a day. I woke up around four in the morning, went to the factory, then to training, and got home around eight in the evening. Everything started again the next day. I had to do this job to survive.