by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- His recent past may seem like a different and almost unreal world to Deniz Undav.
Achieving a breakthrough in Germany's top flight and earning a spot on the national team has changed the life of the 28-year-old, who played in the third division until 2020.
Ahead of VfB Stuttgart's UEFA Champions League clash against Sparta Prague this Tuesday, the German-born, Kurdish-rooted striker has hit the headlines, scoring for his club (four league goals in five games), the national team against the Netherlands, and in his first Champions League encounter against Real Madrid (3-1).
Contributing 18 goals and 10 assists in the 2023-2024 season, Undav helped VfB finish second behind league champions Leverkusen.
After flying under the radar with Belgium's Saint-Gilloise and in the Premier League with Brighton, Undav's reputation soared upon joining Stuttgart. He has since become an irreplaceable force for both his club and German coach Julian Nagelsmann's team.
"Sometimes it feels like an unreal journey even though I always had the confidence to make it one day," said the four-time capped forward.
Recent successes remind Undav of past experiences. Before the Prague game, the Stuttgart striker spoke about his unsuccessful attempt to get the shirt of Manchester City star Erling Haaland while he was at Brighton.
"I tried to get his shirt because my wife asked me to," he recalled. However, the Norwegian striker responded with a simple "No." Undav admitted he was "disappointed and ashamed."
Minutes later, however, a surprising turn of events occurred when a Manchester City staff member informed him that City defender Manuel Akanji wanted his shirt. "Well, a City player of the quality of Akanji came and asked for my shirt. I couldn't believe it," Undav said.
Undav's name is on everyone's lips after his recent success with the national team and his goal against Real Madrid. Traditionally seen as a box striker, the Stuttgart forward impresses with his street-footballer instinct.
Losing his former partner Serhou Guirassy (now with Dortmund) was seen as a challenge, but Undav has proven that he's reached a new level and stepped out of Guirassy's shadow.
"I take things easy, and I am entirely focused at the same time," the striker said.
Within both Stuttgart and the national team, Undav is known for his upbeat and positive demeanor. "The team benefits from his generally positive attitude," said Nagelsmann. ■
