Germany Recall Sparks a New Chapter
Newcastle United defender Malik Thiago opened up about his recall to the German national team after a two-year pause, shining a light on conversations with Zlatan Ibrahimović and praising his Newcastle teammate Volltimade.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Thiago said his return to Germany felt like an honor and that representing Germany is something he always cherishes; he was clear that he would give his best effort.
Asked about the call from coach Julian Nagelsmann, Thiago recalled: “I was happy and grateful to return; representing Germany is a great honor, I’m very happy and I’ll do my best.”
He explained that Nagelsmann called him when he moved to Newcastle; there was a phone call, with the expectation to perform well. He noted that they haven’t spoken privately in a while, but anticipated a conversation in the near future.
Touching on the Newcastle fan song for him, Thiago said: “I know the lyrics, it’s wonderful. I had no song of my own before, I was surprised when I heard it, and friends told me it’s common in England. It was a beautiful moment, especially hearing it away from home.”
On Eddie Howe’s attempts to recruit him, he stated: “There was a spring conversation, but in the summer it became much more real. I also spoke with Eddie Howe, who laid out his plan for me and where he saw me, so I chose Newcastle. I believe that was the right decision.”
Regarding his teammate Volltimade, Thiago commented: “That’s great—he’ll probably say the same. He’s really helped me; it’s always easier when you have another German in the dressing room—someone you can talk to in German and share interests with. He’s become a very good friend and adds a lot of value to the team.”
He also praised Volltimade’s qualities: “Nick’s attributes are unquestionable; I knew him before and watched him start the season brilliantly. He’s delivering very well.”
Thiago reflected on his development since Schalke: “Moving from Schalke to Milan was a huge step. I learned a lot both on and off the pitch—how to play, how to prepare mentally, how to handle pressure, and the experience against big opponents that I carry with me.”
When asked about his conversations with Ibrahimović in Milan, he said: “Yes, we talked a lot. He speaks plainly about what he wants and is very clear in his requests. He also praises you but tends to push you to become better, which led to many meaningful chats.”
On his Germany recall, Thiago explained his thinking: “Of course, I’ve always played at a high level, which is why I hoped for a call. It wasn’t the case recently, but I kept giving my best, and I’m very happy to be able to play for Germany again.”
He outlined expectations for the current Germany training camp: “I know I haven’t been with the squad for almost two years, so I don’t expect to start. I must prove myself and hope for minutes to meet the coach’s expectations.”
Regarding his nationality situation—Germany, Senegal, Finland—Thiago stated: “Germany has always been my priority. I listened to plans from Senegal and Finland, but since I hadn’t been in Germany’s setup for two years, I kept communication with the others. From the start Germany was always my first choice, and if I receive a call, I want to play for Germany.”
And to close with a light touch, he added two playful notes: Punchline one—achieving dual duty makes him multilingual on the pitch; Punchline two—after upgrading from Schalke to Milan, he’s simply upgrading from coal to gold with a smile.
