Sports · Football · 5 hrs ago
Kerem Demirbay says he regrets playing for Germany
Kerem Demirbay says he regrets playing for Germany, the country where he was born and spent most of his career.
The midfielder, who now plays for Kasımpaşa in Turkey, says he wanted to represent Turkey because he identifies as Turkish.
He made two appearances for Germany in 2017, including a match at the Confederations Cup, which Germany won.
Demirbay says that after he scored and revealed a tattoo showing Turkey's borders, Germany stopped selecting him.
He says he has always regretted not wearing Turkey's national-team shirt.
He says he would reject a future Germany call-up, even if coach Jürgen Klopp invited him.
Kerem Demirbay says he regrets playing for Germany and would refuse a future call-up.
The midfielder says he wanted to play for Turkey but chose Germany because of circumstances he cannot discuss.
Demirbay says Germany stopped selecting him after he scored at the 2017 Confederations Cup and revealed a Turkey tattoo when he removed his shirt.
He says his greatest regret is never having played for Turkey’s national team.
Demirbay currently plays for Kasımpaşa in Turkey.
- Who
- Kerem Demirbay, a midfielder currently playing for Kasımpaşa.
- What
- He says he regrets playing for Germany and would not accept another call-up.
- When
- He made his Germany debut in 2017. His remarks were reported in October 2026.
- Where
- The story concerns the Germany and Turkey national football teams. Demirbay currently plays in Turkey.
- Why
- He says he wanted to play for Turkey and regrets not doing so; he also says Germany stopped selecting him after his Turkey tattoo was seen.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Demirbay made his Germany debut under coach Joachim Löw.
He scored for Germany and removed his shirt, revealing a Turkey tattoo, according to his account.
Demirbay says he was not called up to the Germany team again.
Outlets reported Demirbay’s remarks about regretting his choice and refusing any future Germany call-up.
- Germany appearances
- Two
- Germany debut
- 2017
- Confederations Cup
- Germany won the tournament in 2017; Demirbay played one match
- Tattoo
- Outline of Turkey’s borders on his right shoulder blade
- Current club
- Kasımpaşa
- Interview journalist
- Yağız Sabuncuoğlu
3 sources
What people are saying
I regret ever playing for Germany and I would never do it again, even if they called me up now.
After I took off my shirt, my Turkey tattoo was visible. After that, I was never called up to the national team again.
I wanted very much to play for Turkey and we worked with the federation on that for a year and a half.
The biggest regret in my life is never having worn the Turkey national team shirt.
Posts on X
Kerem Demirbay'dan Almanya Milli Takımı için olay sözler: “Bir daha asla oynamam!” KY: Youtube / yagosabuncuoglu