"I feel I can only make the wrong choice" – Mio Backhaus on choosing between Germany and Japan
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Born in Germany to a German father and Japanese mother, Werder Bremen goalkeeper Mio Backhaus faces a difficult choice over which country to represent at senior level.
After initially playing for Japan at U15 level, the 21-year-old has since represented Germany at all youth levels and is currently a German U21 international.
Who he will choose to play for at senior level remains uncertain.
“I unfortunately feel like I can only make the wrong choice,” Backhaus told 11Freunde, adding that when he eventually makes a final decision, he will “probably regret it anyway.”
“If I decided now against the DFB and for Japan, it would affect, I feel, 100 people who have cared for me lovingly and wonderfully over the years. I wonder if they would then think: ‘What was all that for?’”
For the moment, however, Backhaus is postponing the decision.
“As long as I’m nominated for the U21s, I don’t put too much pressure on myself. I’m in no rush regarding the senior national team,” he said.
