Füllkrug responds to Klopp’s age remarks after back-to-back braces

Niclas Füllkrug responded to Jürgen Klopp’s remarks about his age after scoring his second consecutive brace on Saturday.

Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images

Werder Bremen striker Niclas Füllkrug continued to make his case for a return to the Germany national team on Saturday, scoring his second consecutive brace in a 3-2 Bundesliga win over Mainz.

After the game, Füllkrug was asked about Jürgen Klopp’s recent comments about his international prospects. The Germany coach made a pointed remark about the West Ham loanee’s age on Wednesday, telling DAZN:

“Niclas Füllkrug scores goal after goal in the Bundesliga, but he’s 33. That’s not my fault.”

Klopp added: “We have the present, the medium-term future and the long-term future. In the present, it can of course work; in the medium term, possibly as well. Long term, well, we’ll have to see.”

Asked about Klopp’s comments on Saturday, Füllkrug replied:

“He listed facts, nothing more. I’m 33 and I’m scoring goal after goal. There was no opinion attached to it. It didn’t motivate me any extra.”

“I don’t play to get called up. I play for Werder. I can’t say anything – what am I supposed to say? I don’t know anything. Anything I say could be wrong or jumping the gun. Honestly, it’s of no interest to me,” he stated firmly.

With his brace against Mainz, both goals coming from the penalty spot, the 33-year-old has now scored eight goals in seven Bundesliga appearances for Werder since returning to the club.