Leroy Sané: The courageous move to Istanbul and his World Cup dreams!

Leroy Sané: The courageous move to Istanbul and his World Cup dreams!

Leroy Sané recently made the move from FC Bayern Munich to Galatasaray Istanbul and does not see his chances of being nominated for the 2026 World Cup in the USA at all in jeopardy. Quite the opposite: In an interview he emphasized that he has established himself as the clear number 1 in Turkey and is in Istanbul with a big goal in mind. “I want to take on a leadership role,” said the 29-year-old, who has caused a stir in the Bundesliga in recent years.

His move came with a hefty financial premium: according to reports, Sané will earn up to 15 million euros net at Galatasaray. For comparison: FC Bayern's offer included 12 million euros gross plus 3 million euros in bonuses, which Sané rejected. Before the move, he was also thinking about working in England, especially at Arsenal. Ultimately, he decided to go to Turkey, where he arrived during the Club World Cup and was welcomed with open arms by fans - his visit was even broadcast live on YouTube. But how will this step affect his chances with the national team?

The challenges in Istanbul

Sané is aware that he may receive less international attention after moving to the Turkish league. This could pose a challenge, especially for his ambitions to play for Germany again. Critics may view his move as risky, especially given his inconsistent performance to date, which has already been his undoing on one occasion or another in the national team. However, in the Bundesliga in the second half of last season he scored 8 goals and prepared 5 more. Nevertheless, the question remains whether he can maintain the level required for participation in the World Cup with lesser-known players such as Alvaro Morata and Mauro Icardi at Galatasaray.

Another point that should be crucial for Sané is the exchange with national coach Julian Nagelsmann. “Contact with him is very important to me,” says Sané, emphasizing the importance of regular communication about his achievements and goals for the upcoming World Cup.

A look at the career stages

Leroy Sané, born on January 11, 1996 in Essen, has had remarkable careers to date. After starting out at SG Wattenscheid 09 and Schalke 04, he played at Manchester City, among others, where he proved to be one of the best young players in the Premier League and won numerous titles. During his time at Bayern, Sané won the DFB Cup and the championship, among other things, before he now moves to Galatasaray.

Sané has already played 70 international matches for the national team and scored 14 goals. His last appearance was in the semi-finals of the 2022 Nations League. Taking part in the 2026 World Cup remains a big goal for him and he is ready to give everything for it. “I am aware that I have to show strong performances,” said Sané determinedly.

In summary, the move could bring both risks and opportunities for Sané. It remains to be seen how his new role at Galatasaray will impact his abilities and prospects of being selected for the World Cup. The football fan's heart will be eagerly watching how this dance with future opponents will unfold on the international stage.

For more information about Leroy Sané and his career you can read here: Mainpost, n-tv and Wikipedia.