Matthias Ginter was in fine form versus Vigo, scoring his side's third whilst helping preserve a clean sheet. - © IMAGO/Ralf Brueck

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Matthias Ginter in FIFA World Cup conversation after 'perfect game' against Celta Vigo

10.04.2026

Matthias Ginter was in fine fettle as Freiburg strolled to a 3-0 win over Celta Vigo in their UEFA Europa League quarter-final first leg. As such, his potential participation at this summer's FIFA World Cup is again a topic of discussion...

Freiburg could not have wished for a better night as they put themselves in total control of their last-eight clash with Vigo in what was their first-ever game at this stage of a European competition.

At the heart of the back four, Ginter was a rock, preventing the Spanish visitors from registering a single shot on target throughout the game. And, after Vincenzo Grifo and Niklas Beste had put the hosts two to the good, he added extra gloss to the scoreline with a header from Beste's corner to put Freiburg on the brink of the last four.

Ginter's goal was just one component of his impressive display. - IMAGO/Ralf Brueck

Former Ballon d'Or and World Cup winner Lothar Matthäus described Ginter's showing as the "perfect game" during coverage for German broadcaster RTL+, while Freiburg head coach Julian Schuster was also delighted with his display. "The way he played couldn't have been better," he said. "His performance was impressive, and he inspired his teammates as a result."

Meanwhile, Ginter's teammate Igor Matanović stated that "If I were the national coach, I would take Ginter with me. The team's success speaks for itself and he has played a huge part in it."

The defender himself was also asked about the situation after having been left out of Julian Nagelsmann's most recent squad, and is clearly eager to represent his country at the highest level once more. "I’ve always said it: playing for Germany is the greatest thing. I was fortunate enough to be a part of it for nine years. Of course, I wouldn’t mind playing for Germany," he said.

Ginter (r.) has been an important player for Schuster (l.) since his arrival at the start of last season. - IMAGO/Grant Hubbs

"I'm doing what I can and, above all, what I can influence. Then we'll see. Ultimately, the pendulum [being named in the squad for the March internationals] didn't swing in my favor. As long as it's not definitively decided, I'll do everything I can. I try to deliver every three or four days and be successful with the team. That's what I can do."

While he didn't make it onto the field of play, Ginter was part of the World Cup winning squad from 2014. Now, having last featured for his country three years ago, the door could be open to him once more.

Ginter (r.) was part of Germany's World Cup-winning squad in 2014. - imago sportfotodienst/imago/Laci Perenyi

From a Freiburg perspective, the win over Celta was the latest example of their impressive development. They were minutes away from defeating Bayern Munich on Matchday 28 before conceding twice in stoppage time on their way to a 3-2 loss, and they already have a semi-final to look forward to against VfB Stuttgart in the DFB Cup.

Schuster, though, was eager to not look too far ahead, saying, "Sometimes it’s even more difficult after a win. We’ve played 90 minutes now, and football has often shown what can happen. One less step and it goes in a different direction. That’s why we can’t let up and we have to be really sharp. If you saw the opponent’s faces after the game, then you know what to expect there.”