The Two-Metre Messi-Musiala: Nick Woltemade Lighting Up the U21 Euros

England U21s Face Germany and In-Form Nick Woltemade in Must-Win Clash

It’s not every day you hear a 6ft 6in striker being compared to Lionel Messi or Jamal Musiala. But that’s exactly the kind of buzz surrounding Nick Woltemade, the towering German forward who’s taken the Under-21 European Championship by storm. Dubbed the “two-metre Messi-Musiala” by his Stuttgart teammate Atakan Karazor, Woltemade has quickly become the standout performer at this summer’s tournament in Slovakia.

With four goals and two assists in just two matches, the 23-year-old has not only helped fire Germany into the knockout stages with a game to spare — he’s also sent scouts from Premier League clubs into a frenzy. As England U21s prepare to face Germany in their final group game on Wednesday night, they’ll be acutely aware that stopping Woltemade could be the key to staying in the competition.

A Late Bloomer Finding His Feet at Just the Right Time

Woltemade’s journey to this breakout moment hasn’t been straightforward. Born in Bremen, he progressed through Werder Bremen’s youth system and made his senior debut in 2020. But despite showing flashes of promise, his early years were quiet in terms of goal return — just two in 51 appearances for the club.

After a loan spell in Germany’s third tier with Elversberg during the 2022-23 season, it looked like Woltemade’s Bundesliga future might be slipping away. But instead of accepting a new contract at Bremen, he took a risk — turning down the deal and signing a free transfer with VfB Stuttgart.

That gamble has paid off spectacularly. This past season, Woltemade has exploded into form, scoring 17 goals in 33 appearances for Stuttgart — including strikes in each of his final four matches before the summer break. And now, after making his senior debut for Germany in Nations League clashes against Portugal and France, he’s extended that hot streak into the Under-21 Euros.

Nick Woltemade at the U21 Euros: Stats and Style

Nick Woltemade ranked highly last season in many different metrics for Opta

It’s not just the numbers that are turning heads — though those are impressive enough. After a hat-trick against Slovenia and another goal, plus two assists, against the Czech Republic, Woltemade leads the tournament’s Golden Boot race.

But it’s how he plays that really captivates. At 1.98 metres tall (6ft 6in), he doesn’t fit the traditional mould of a dribbling forward. And yet, that’s exactly what he is — combining close control, surprising agility, and a creative eye with his obvious physical presence.

“He can control the ball, but at the same time he can also dribble like a 1.6 metre player,” Karazor said of his teammate earlier this year. “He’s a player who is two metres tall but he has technique like Messi.”

That blend of attributes has earned Woltemade his now-iconic nickname — the two-metre Messi-Musiala. A nod not only to his skill but to the fact that, much like Musiala, he plays with flair, vision and a sense of freedom that belies his size.

Premier League Clubs Circle as Chelsea Lead the Race

With such a profile, it’s no surprise that Premier League clubs are circling. Chelsea are believed to be the frontrunners for his signature, but they’re far from alone. Arsenal, Liverpool, Brighton, West Ham and Everton have all been linked, as have several top continental clubs.

Given his current trajectory, it’s hard to imagine Woltemade not making a big move soon — whether that’s to the Premier League or another Champions League contender.

“It wouldn’t be optimal scouting if a club didn’t have that [his scoring run] on their radar right now,” he recently told Bild. Yet despite the speculation, he’s staying grounded. “I’m not thinking about my future right now. I’m with the under-21 national team, I’m having a lot of fun, and I just scored three goals.”

A Summer to Remember

It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for Woltemade. Just in the past month, he:

• Scored in the DFB-Pokal final, helping Stuttgart lift the German Cup with a win over Arminia Bielefeld.

• Earned his first two senior caps for Germany in the Nations League.

• Topped the U21 Euros goal charts, with four goals and two assists in two group games.

That kind of impact in such a short space of time is rare — and it speaks volumes about the confidence and momentum he’s carrying into every match.

Germany are already safely through to the quarter-finals, but England still have work to do. Lee Carsley’s Young Lions need at least a draw in Wednesday’s clash in Nitra to secure their own place in the knockouts.

England’s Task: Stop the Star and Survive the Group

With Germany rotating their squad for the final game, there’s no guarantee that Woltemade will start — but given his red-hot form, it would be no surprise if he features in some capacity. And that should be cause for concern for England.

Their defence will need to be on high alert. Beyond the obvious aerial threat, Woltemade has shown he can drop deep, link play, and carve through defences with unexpected ease. His movement, touch and timing will test England’s centre-backs — and their discipline.

Other U21 Stars Making Their Mark

While Woltemade may be the standout name so far, he’s not the only one making headlines at the tournament. Newcastle United’s William Osula, representing Denmark, is right on his heels in the Golden Boot race with three goals in two games, including a brace against the Netherlands.

Elsewhere, Portugal’s Geovany Quenda, who is set to join Chelsea in a £40 million move next year, has scored twice, as has Ukraine’s Maksym Braharu of Dynamo Kyiv.

Still, none have matched the all-round impact of Woltemade — goals, assists, and a presence that changes the dynamic of any match he’s in.

Final Thoughts: A Star is Rising

It’s not every day a player breaks through at senior and youth level in the same summer. But Nick Woltemade is doing just that.

From benchwarmer at Bremen to Bundesliga breakout star at Stuttgart, and now talisman for Germany’s U21s, this has been a coming-of-age campaign for the striker.

Whether he’s the next Premier League headline act or the latest German gem to take the continent by storm, one thing is clear: the two-metre Messi-Musiala is no gimmick. He’s the real deal — and England will have to be at their very best to keep him quiet.