Undav's double seals Germany's comeback win over Ivory Coast at World Cup

VfB Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav was the standout player in Germany's 2-1 comeback win over Ivory Coast at the BMO Field in Toronto, scoring both goals to secure the victory. His journey from the lower German leagues to becoming a Bundesliga star highlights a story of patience and resilience.

Born in Varel, Germany, Undav's family has Kurdish-Yazidi roots, with his parents originating from Viranşehir in Turkey. He has spoken openly about this background, making him a figure of interest for the Kurdish diaspora in Europe. His path to professional football was not straightforward. After being released by Werder Bremen due to his height, he played for several lower-division clubs before debuting professionally in the Regionalliga. He steadily climbed the ranks, playing in Belgium for Union Saint-Gilloise, where he scored 25 goals in the 2021/22 season, and then moving to Brighton & Hove Albion in England before joining VfB Stuttgart.

At Stuttgart, Undav's impact was immediate. In his first Bundesliga season, he netted 18 goals and provided 9 assists, helping the club secure a Champions League spot for the first time since 2009-10. Now 29, he plays with jersey number 26 and is contracted until 2029, with a market value of 22 million euros. In the 2025/26 season, he finished as the top-scoring German player in the Bundesliga with 19 goals, trailing only Harry Kane in the league's overall scoring chart. He made his national team debut on March 23, 2024, in a friendly against France. His coach, Julian Nagelsmann, describes him as a positive and vital presence both on and off the field.

“

He is a positive and vital man, who contributes a lot on and off the pitch.