'Extreme' - Fulham star reacts to backlash on big decision and doubles down on future stance

Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno made a bold decision to turn down a national team call up for Germany during the last international break, due to the fact that he wouldn’t be the first-choice keeper for his national side.

Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann had wanted the 32-year-old to join the Germany squad for their UEFA Nations League matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Netherlands earlier in October, however, Leno rejected the call-up.

The Fulham shot-stopper has spent his entire international career in the shadow of Bayern Munich keeper Manuel Neuer who has been the first choice for Germany since 2009 making over 120 appearances for the national team.

Leno has only appeared for Germany nine times despite successful spells in club football with Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal and Fulham. He recently said in an interview that he doubles down on his decision to decline the international call-up earlier in October.

He told German outlet SportBILD via Sport Witness: “Yes, I would,” when asked if he’d make the same decision again. “I have great respect for him [Julian Nagelsmann] and think that he is a very good national coach. That is why it is important for me to be honest with him.

“What was overlooked in some reports is that I had also told Julian that I am always there when I am really needed and that I am absolutely proud to play for Germany. My opinion hasn’t changed. I believe that my decision was respected, even if of course nobody was happy about it.”

Leno has become a mainstay in Fulham’s starting XI

The German keeper has had a lot of success with the Cottagers since joining in 2022 for a fee of £8 million when Fulham got promoted to the Premier League. Since then, Leno has made 87 appearances, keeping 19 clean sheets.

He signed a new contract in 2023 which will keep him at Craven Cottage until the summer of 2027 with an option for Fulham to extend his deal for another year if they so choose.

So far this season, Leno has started every game for Fulham in the Premier League keeping one clean sheet which came against Nottingham Forest in a 1-0 win at the end of September.

He will have to be on form for the Cottagers’ next game however as they face a Brentford side next Monday who are the third-top scorers in the Premier League.