CHOOSING GERMANY A 'HEART' DECISION

Tah made up mind early, but says everyone views selection of national team differently

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The question of Germany-developed players who opt to represent other countries is back in the spotlight, after Germany youth international Ibrahim Maza recently announced his decision to play for the Algerian national team.

The 19-year-old Bayer Leverkusen forward is the latest footballer to reject Germany despite being developed through their youth and senior system, with German football association bosses repeatedly calling for financial compensation for developing such players.

Other recent cases include Bavarian-born Can Uzun, who chose to play for Turkey's senior team in 2024.

Tah, who could have played for the Ivory Coast because of his father, said he had decided early on to stick with Germany, a decision he felt very comfortable with.

"For everyone, it is an individual decision and everyone sees it differently. For me, it is a decision of the heart," Tah told a press conference ahead of Germany's last two World Cup qualifiers.

"It did not take long. It happened when I was 17 (and was approached by the Ivory Coast). I quickly said no. I was going through all the German national youth teams and I wanted to play for Germany. It was an individual decision and I see it as a decision of the heart."