Deniz Undav, a 29-year-old striker for Germany, has become a "super-sub" at the World Cup, averaging a goal contribution (goal or assist) every 13.8 minutes. This rate significantly surpasses those of elite players like Lionel Messi (37.4 minutes), Kylian Mbappé (48.8 minutes), and Erling Haaland (51.2 minutes). Despite having three goals and two assists in just 69 minutes of play across two substitute appearances, Undav has yet to earn a starting spot in Germany's lineup. He scored a goal and two assists in a 7-1 win against Curaçao and then scored twice in a 2-1 comeback against Ivory Coast.
Undav's journey to this point is unusual; he played in Germany's lower tiers, then for Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium before joining Brighton in the Premier League. Last season, on loan at Stuttgart, he was second in the Bundesliga with 19 goals, trailing only Harry Kane's 36. He made his Germany debut in March 2024 and has since accumulated nine goals in 11 international appearances, with only three of them being starts. He has equaled Cameroon's Roger Milla's 1990 record for the most goal involvements by a substitute at a World Cup since 1966.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has acknowledged Undav's deserving nature for a starting role but plans to continue using him from the bench for tactical reasons, especially as they prepare for the knockout stages. Nagelsmann had previously apologized for comments made in March implying Undav lacked the stamina to start, suggesting his goals came from fresh legs. However, Undav himself has stated he is content with his role, emphasizing that team victories are what matter most. Nagelsmann has indicated only forced lineup changes for the final group stage match against Ecuador, due to injuries to Nico Schlotterbeck and Nathaniel Brown, with Antonio Rüdiger and David Raum likely replacements.
