Nadiem Amiri: Who is the Germany international currently starring for Mainz?
Mainz's Nadiem Amiri has a handful of Germany caps to his name, but what else is there to know about the midfielder called up again by Julian Nagelsmann?
Stats correct as of 11 March 2025
Nadiem Amiri
Age: 28 (born 27 October 1996)
Club: Mainz
Position: Central midfielder
Country: Germany (six caps)
Key stats
Born in Ludwigshafen on the river Rhine to parents who had fled Afghanistan in the 1980s, Amiri made his first steps in the game with Kaiserslautern, but it was Hoffenheim’s academy he graduated from having joined the Sinsheimers at U17 level in 2012 – at the age of 15. Amiri raced through the age groups in Sinsheim, making his first-team debut under Markus Gisdol in February 2015 at 18 years, three months and 12 days of age.
Subsequently trusted by Gisdol’s successors Huub Steven and Julian Nagelsmann, the then 22-year-old Amiri had racked up a barely fathomable 106 Bundesliga appearances – plundering 11 goals – before making his switch to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2019. Six seasons on - which included a 13-game loan spell with Genoa in Italy's Serie A - Amiri has more than 200 top-flight games under his belt, as well as 26 goals. At Mainz since January 2024, Amiri has assumed a leadership role within the squad, operating further back than he did in his younger years. Acting as a deep-lying playmaker for the 05ers, Mainz's No.18 has been one of the driving forces behind Bo Henriksen's side's bid for European qualification in the 2024/25 season that saw them rise into the top four by the time of the March international break.
At international level, Amiri helped the Germany U21s to UEFA European Championship glory in 2017, starting seven games and chipping in with a goal against Denmark on the way to helping his country lift their second title at that level. Serge Gnabry, Joshua Kimmich, Timo Werner and Niklas Süle were among the players in that squad, and Amiri eventually concluded his youth national team career with 11 goals in 48 appearances. A senior international debut came in a 2-2 draw with Argentina on 9 October 2019, and he now has a total of six Germany caps to his name, following his return to the national team under Julian Nagelsmann in March. His start against Italy in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final was his first appearance for Die Mannschaft in over four years.
Plays a bit like: Granit Xhaka
Despite rising to prominence as an attacking midfielder, as he has matured, Amiri has moved further back in the midfield position. At Mainz, the German operates as his side's metronome; he's the first player to receive from the defenders before turning and looking to start attacks, much like Xhaka. The similarities to his Swiss counterpart don't stop there, as Amiri likewise works tirelessly off the ball, and though he stands a couple of inches shorter, he remains a physical presence in the middle of the park. Skills acquired from his days as an attacking midfielder have been retained too, as with six goals in 2024/25 for Mainz, Amiri has not lost his proclivity for striking the ball from range; a trait which is heavily associated with Xhaka.
Want more Bundesliga Action?
Did you know?
Amiri may be one of German football’s fastest-rising stars, but he hasn’t forgotten his roots. The youngster has been involved in various refugee projects with his clubs, working with the Red Cross and local volunteers to provide support for those who experienced a similar ordeal to his parents 30 years ago.
Watch: Nadiem Amiri's roots
"It's very hard to be forced to leave your family at a young age and go to a foreign country where you don't speak the language," he told bundesliga.com previously. "But my parents were determined to make something of their lives. To do that you need willpower and heart. You have to be ready to work and learn the language. You can't just wait for a solution to pop up out of thin air."
What they’re saying
"Nadiem is a special player, because he has come through the TSG academy and calmly matured into a young professional of exceptional talent, and he's still getting better" – Amiri’s former Hoffenheim coach Nagelsmann
"I'm a bit of a street footballer. I play with a lot of heart and try to do my best to help the team. My winning mentality definitely comes from the street. When it comes to football, skin colour and religion don't matter. Everyone gets together and we all enjoy it." – Amiri on his journey into the professional game
“Nadiem is really important. He's not only a good player, but also a good person. If he wants to, he can perform even better. Sometimes you have to give him tough love, and he plays better, and sometimes the opposite. I love that kid, he's a special person, a special footballer, and he can do wonders with the ball. You also saw that in the second half against Leipzig, when he was out of this world. These players are special, and they make my life a bit easier.” - Mainz head coach Bo Henriksen
Related news
Goretzka returns to Germany fold for Italy clashes
The Bayern midfielder’s impressive displays at club level have seen him recalled to Germany’s squad for the first time in two years.
Mainz triumph 2-0 over Stuttgart at home
Nelson Weiper and Anthony Caci both scored as Mainz overcame Stuttgart in a big game in the race for European qualification.
The Bundesliga's cheekiest goals
The brilliant footballers of the Bundesliga have bamboozled defences from time to time with some simply outrageous strikes.