Brajan Gruda marked his first appearance for the German national team with a goal in a 3-1 victory over Serbia in Belgrade.
The 22-year-old forward, currently on loan at RB Leipzig, played from the start in the match held at the Red Star Stadium.
The decisive moment for the debutant arrived in the 50th minute. After receiving a pass from captain Joshua Kimmich deep in the German half, Gruda initiated a solo run toward the Serbian goal to extend the lead to 3-0.
“The Jo plays the ball to me. And with the first contact, I had so much space. I just used it. It was a bit of a shock that I wasn’t really challenged. And then I shoot the ball in,” Gruda told DerWesten.de after the match.
German head coach Jürgen Klopp provided specific instructions to the young forward before kickoff. While emphasizing the need for defensive discipline, Klopp encouraged Gruda to remain bold in his attacking movements.
Following the final whistle, the coach highlighted the player’s natural instincts. “That Brajan can play like that, that’s out of the question. What Brajan showed is Brajan Gruda. And I will do a devil of a thing and forbid him from dribbling. Offensively he did it great—what a wonderful footballer. It was fun for me to watch him too,” Klopp told DerWesten.de.
Teammates also noted the technical quality of the youngster throughout the evening. Niclas Füllkrug pointed to the forward’s timing and precision as key elements of his game.
“He doesn’t just play his opponents out through pure speed, but through his enormous technical ability,” Füllkrug told DerWesten.de. Gruda, who joined RB Leipzig on loan in 2026, confirmed he intends to keep the match-worn jersey from his first international appearance as a memento.
Gruda’s path to the national team has been marked by several developmental milestones. He was previously awarded the silver Fritz Walter Medal and was recognized by Lionel Messi as one of the top ten young talents in world football. After a record transfer from Mainz 05 to England in 2024, he transitioned to the Bundesliga with Leipzig in 2026.
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