Dresden, Germany – Vanessa Fudalla, the Bundesliga’s leading German goalscorer, continues to be overlooked by national team coach Christian Wück, a situation that has left the Bayer Leverkusen forward deeply frustrated. Despite consistently finding the back of the net for her club, Fudalla has yet to receive a call-up to the German national team, a decision that has sparked debate and raised questions about the criteria for selection.
The 24-year-old has been in sensational form for Leverkusen this season, scoring 13 goals in 20 Bundesliga matches as of February 20, 2026, according to reports. This tally places her at the top of the scoring charts for German players in the league. Yet, when Wück announced his squad for upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Slovenia and Norway in early March, Fudalla’s name was notably absent.
“To hear or read such words hurts,” Fudalla said in a recent interview, responding to Wück’s explanation that he “sees other players ahead of her.” “It makes me sad that he apparently trusts other players more than me. In the league, you can see that I assert myself against top players and deliver good performances at a top level. It’s a shame that I never had the chance to show what I can do on the international stage – that it’s not even tried: How does that really fit with Vanessa Fudalla in the national team? I would simply wish that I would be given the chance, as some players have now received after good performances in the league.”
A Consistent Snub Despite Stellar Form
Fudalla’s exclusion from the national team is particularly perplexing given her consistent performance. She has progressed through all levels of the German youth national teams, including a recent stint with the re-activated U23 squad. Although, a senior team debut continues to elude her. The situation was further highlighted by the fact that Fudalla was not even considered when Hoffenheim’s Selina Cerci was ruled out of the squad due to injury, with Wück instead opting to call up debutante Larissa Mühlhaus of Werder Bremen.
The numbers, on the surface, seem to support Fudalla’s case. She has scored two more goals than Mühlhaus and boasts a strong recent form, with six scorer points in her last four games. However, Wück has maintained that his decision is based on a broader assessment of players who can perform consistently on the international stage. “I see a discrepancy between the national and international leagues,” Wück explained, as reported by KSTA. “I have to assess which player can succeed internationally in such a way that we as a national team can also benefit.”
Limited Communication and a Hard Länderspielpause
Fudalla revealed that she hasn’t had substantial communication with Wück recently, stating their last conversation was brief in the autumn. She learned of her latest non-selection like many fans – by checking the squad list online. “I knew roughly when the emails with the nominations would be sent,” she explained. “And I’m honest: I looked at my phone more often than usual in those days because I was really hoping to get an email or a call this time. I had a good feeling because things were going well for me in Leverkusen. But unfortunately, no email, no call came. I then saw the squad list, but I didn’t talk to the national coach.”
The recent international break proved particularly difficult for Fudalla, as a significant portion of her Leverkusen teammates were called up for national team duty. “This time, the international break was really hard for me,” she admitted. “It felt like half of our team was with the national teams. It’s hard to motivate yourself again and again. It was a rollercoaster of emotions. Sometimes I try to switch off and tell myself, ‘It’s not so terrible.’ But I also had to let my emotions out, tears came to my eyes. It’s a big up and down for me right now.”
Addressing Concerns About Size and Position
Fudalla also addressed questions about her stature, standing at 1.55 meters (approximately 5’1”). Although acknowledging that taller players might be favored in certain attacking roles, particularly following the retirement of Alexandra Popp, she expressed hope that her size wouldn’t be a barrier. She also suggested that Wück might see her as more suited to a number 10 role, but emphasized her ability to compete effectively in the Bundesliga despite her height.
The situation raises broader questions about the selection process for the German women’s national team and the balance between rewarding current form and assessing potential for international success. As Germany prepares for crucial World Cup qualifying matches, the debate surrounding Fudalla’s exclusion is likely to continue, adding another layer of intrigue to the team’s campaign.
Bayer Leverkusen will return to Bundesliga action on [Date of next Leverkusen match – needs verification], where Fudalla will undoubtedly be looking to continue her impressive goal-scoring run. The next opportunity for Fudalla to potentially earn a call-up will be when Christian Wück announces his squad for the next international window. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the prolific striker will finally be given a chance to prove herself on the international stage.
