It has been a whirlwind few years for Union Berlin striker Kevin Behrens. Just five years ago, the 32-year-old was plying his trade in Germany’s regional leagues for FC Saarbrücken before making his Bundesliga debut at the age of 30 when he made a dream move to Die Eisernen in 2021.
After making a name for himself in Germany’s fourth tier, Behrens can now claim to be a German international having made his debut against Mexico on Wednesday morning. However, the Union Berlin striker was quick to note after the game that despite his rapid ascent to the top, there is still work to do: “I definitely still have to work on myself.”
“The boys are really strong. I’m not used to training and playing at this level, but I’ll keep working on myself and give it my all,” continued the 32-year-old. After being subbed on for Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala in the 87th minute, Behrens became the ninth oldest player to make his debut for the German national team.
While he would fail to score in the dying embers of the game, he would remark after the game just how surreal the experience was: “It was really exciting, really cool to get into such a wild game in that atmosphere. Just awesome that I played my first game.”
Nevertheless, Behrens is determined to ensure that it will not be his first and last game for Germany. If he can add to his four goals already this season, then Julian Nagelsmann will have no choice but to include him in the side for games against Turkey and Austria, where Behrens states he will be better prepared:
“If I can be there again, I will know the processes better, then it will be easier to play, more relaxed.”
GGFN | Will Shopland
