Noah Atubolu, the 22-year-old Freiburg goalkeeper, has solidified his international allegiance, expressing his ardent desire to represent Germany at the senior level. This declaration puts to rest any speculation about him potentially playing for Nigeria, the country of his father’s birth. Atubolu’s recent performances in the Bundesliga have been nothing short of spectacular, culminating in a new club record for consecutive minutes without conceding a goal. His impressive streak reached 576 minutes following a hard-fought 0-0 draw against RB Leipzig, a game in which Atubolu made three crucial saves to preserve his team’s clean sheet and bolster their hopes of Champions League qualification. This remarkable run places him fifth on the all-time Bundesliga list for consecutive clean sheets, surpassing the previous Freiburg record of 510 minutes set by Richard Golz in the 2000/01 season.
Atubolu’s last conceded goal was against Bayern Munich on January 25th, and he is now within striking distance of Timo Hildebrand’s Bundesliga record of 885 minutes without conceding. This exceptional form has naturally led to aspirations of a call-up to the German national team, a goal Atubolu openly acknowledges and eagerly anticipates. Having represented Germany at various youth levels, he expresses a strong desire to make the leap to the senior squad, a sentiment that resonates with his recent performances. The timing of Atubolu’s rise coincides with a period of transition for the German national team, particularly in the goalkeeping department.
The retirement of long-time stalwart Manuel Neuer has created a vacancy in the number one spot, providing a significant opportunity for aspiring goalkeepers like Atubolu. Further strengthening his prospects is the unfortunate injury to Marc-Andre ter Stegen, another experienced goalkeeper, who is expected to be sidelined until late 2025 due to a serious knee injury. This absence further opens the door for Atubolu and other contenders to stake their claim for a place in the German squad.
While Atubolu is eligible to represent Nigeria through his paternal heritage, it appears the Nigerian Football Federation has not actively pursued him, omitting him from their provisional squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers. This lack of interest from Nigeria, coupled with Atubolu’s stated desire to play for Germany, effectively closes the door on any potential switch of international allegiance.
Despite his impressive form, Atubolu faces competition from several other talented goalkeepers vying for a spot in the German national team. Julian Nagelsmann, the German national team coach, is known to be considering several options, including Kevin Trapp, Finn Dahmen, and Oliver Bauman, each of whom possesses significant experience and ability. This competitive landscape means that Atubolu will need to maintain his high level of performance to stand out and earn his first senior call-up.
The upcoming UEFA Nations League quarter-final matches against Italy present a crucial opportunity for Nagelsmann to assess his options and potentially introduce new talent into the squad. The first leg is scheduled for March 21st at the San Siro, followed by the second leg at Signal Iduna Park three days later. These matches will be closely watched by Atubolu and his competitors, as they offer a chance to impress the national team coach and potentially secure a place in the squad moving forward. Atubolu’s impressive form, coupled with the current circumstances within the German national team, makes him a strong contender for a call-up. However, he faces stiff competition and will need to continue his excellent performances to realize his dream of representing Germany at the senior international level.
