Deniz Undav Extends VfB Stuttgart Contract Before World Cup, Embraces Müller Comparison

Undav is currently preparing with the German national team in Herzogenaurach. The squad faces a test match against Finland in Mainz on Sunday before flying to Chicago on Tuesday.

The striker is coming off an outstanding Bundesliga campaign, having scored 19 goals in 28 appearances for VfB Stuttgart during the 2025/2026 season, making him the most prolific German attacker of the year.

The Müller Comparison and Team Spirit

In an interview with DFB.TV, Undav addressed comparisons to former Bayern Munich star Thomas Müller, a role he might fill for the national team. 'The comparison with the former Bayern star is a very good one,' Undav said. 'I'm just different from Thomas, we also speak a different language.'

He clarified with a smile: 'Well, we do speak German, but the slang is different.' The comment highlighted his relaxed and humorous approach as the team builds chemistry ahead of the tournament.

Undav described the team atmosphere as being 'like a class trip,' emphasizing the importance of balancing intensity with relaxation during the potentially seven-week-long tournament. 'We are like a class trip. We are hopefully together for six weeks, seven weeks, and you just have to have a good mood,' he said.

National team coach Julian Nagelsmann recently apologized to the Stuttgart striker for previous criticism, which he described as 'unnecessary' and 'stupid.' The gesture appears to have cleared the air as the team unites for the World Cup challenge.

Focus on the World Cup

Looking ahead, Undav remains focused on the immediate tasks. 'I'm not thinking that far into the future. We have a test match against Finland first,' he said. 'I'm really trying to keep my focus from game to game and not think about what could happen if this or that happens.'

The German team will play another friendly after the Finland match before their World Cup campaign begins. Their group stage includes a match in Toronto, Canada, on June 6 and a fixture against Ecuador on June 25.

Undav's contract extension secures the future of one of the Bundesliga's top scorers at a club where he has become a central figure, allowing him to enter the World Cup with his professional future settled.