No warm-up internationals ahead of the World Cup. Julian Nagelsmann is set to perform another bold about-face in his World Cup squad

Early in the campaign, Kwasniok often introduced El Mala as a substitute, despite the youngster’s goals and assists already proving crucial to the team’s relegation fight. Since Kwasniok’s resignation at the end of March, El Mala has started every Bundesliga match under successor Rene Wagner, finishing his debut top-flight campaign with 13 goals and five assists.

He then showed he could also make an impact at international level with the German U21s. Coach Antonio Di Salvo welcomed Nagelsmann’s omission with open arms, and El Mala fired the German youth side to victory in a vital European Championship qualifier against Greece. Having recently lost his grandmother, he broke down in tears during the celebrations. “When I scored, everything came pouring out. It was the most emotional moment of my life – I couldn’t hold back any longer,” he explained afterwards.

Now, with Nagelsmann’s call-up for the senior squad, El Mala may shed a tear of joy when the World Cup preparations begin.

Back in November, Nagelsmann had already called up El Mala for the World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Slovakia, but sent him straight back to the U21s after the Luxembourg match without playing a single minute, as that age-group side was up against the wall in its European Championship qualifier against Georgia.