Moukoko return into German U21 team possible via good Nice showings

Youssoufa Moukoko, the youngest player and scorer in Bundesliga history, has a chance to return into Germany's under-21 national team once he has established himself at his new French league club Nice.

Moukoko, 19, has not been part of the U21 squad lately but coach Antonio di Salvo said that the door is not closed on the striker who went to Nice on loan in summer from Borussia Dortmund.

"We decided that it was more important again to stay at the club," Di Salvo said, citing "totally positive and constructive talks" with Nice.

"It will be important for him to play regularly at Nice, to play a lot, to have a certain confidence in front of goal again and to score goals."

Moukoko has scored 12 goals in 13 U21 caps since 2021. He also has two senior team caps and was part of the 2022 World Cup squad.

He became the youngest Bundesliga player the day after his 16th birthday in 2020, and the youngest scorer in the league four weeks later.

After only getting limited playing time in Dortmund he went to Nice who have an option to make the transfer permanent next year.

Moukoko has two goals and one assist from appearing over 109 minutes in four Ligue 1 matches, plus one assist in two Europa League matches.

Germany qualified for the U21 Euros with a 2-1 victory against Bulgaria last week.

The June 11-28, 2025, finals in Slovakia coincide with the Club World Cup where forwards Karim Adeyemi and Maximilian Beier could be on Dortmund club duty and not be available for the U21 - which could help Moukoko.

"We have a situation that nobody knows about. This is the first time this FIFA Club World Cup has been organised. That's why it's totally difficult to judge now," Di Salvo said.