Disciplined, reliable and versatile, Sebastian Rudy could be the missing piece of Germany's 2018 World Cup puzzle. - © © imago
Disciplined, reliable and versatile, Sebastian Rudy could be the missing piece of Germany's 2018 World Cup puzzle. - © © imago

World Cup watch: Germany and Bayern Munich midfielder Sebastian Rudy

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Germany are bidding to win the FIFA World Cup for a record-equalling fifth time this summer, and become the first nation to win back-to-back crowns since Brazil in 1962.

Who is he?

Although 2014 World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger is no longer on the international scene, Joachim Löw has a more than capable heir in Bayern Munich's Swiss-army-knife midfielder Sebastian Rudy.

Rudy was left out of Germany's 2014 World Cup and UEFA Euro 2016 squads, but started every game at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia. His first piece of major silverware in hand, he then won the Supercup and Bundesliga title in his debut season at Bayern, and also scored the goal that helped clinch Germany's place at the 2018 World Cup finals, in a qualifier against Northern Ireland.

- © imago

What they're saying

"We don't need to talk about his qualities as a footballer - he's exceptional" - Hoffenheim coach Julian Nagelsmann

"He knows exactly what he’s doing, he's a very intelligent footballer. He loves to play, offers safety in possession and is a good tackler. He's the stabilising factor for Bayern and Germany" - Former Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer

Click here for the latest on Germany's FIFA World Cup defence!

- © imago / Ulmer