Philipp Treu, the Freiburg Defender Called by Klopp: From St. Pauli to the German National Team
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- Philipp Treu, bek kanan Freiburg, menerima panggilan video dari pelatih timnas Jerman Jürgen Klopp setelah penampilan impresifnya di awal musim 2026/27.
- Pemain berusia 25 tahun itu memiliki rekam jejak di RB Leipzig dan St. Pauli sebelum kembali ke Freiburg pada 2025, dan kini menjadi salah satu bek sayap paling menjanjikan di Bundesliga.
- Panggilan ke timnas Jerman dapat menjadi batu loncatan bagi Treu, sekaligus sinyal bahwa Klopp mulai membangun generasi baru di skuad Der Panzer.
Philipp Treu, Freiburg's right-back, received a video call from Germany national team coach Jürgen Klopp after his outstanding performances for the club at the start of the 2026/27 season. The call signaled that he is on the radar of the Der Panzer squad for his first call-up in September 2026.
The 25-year-old is no stranger to German football. Born in Heidelberg, Treu came through the football academies of Sandhausen, RB Leipzig and Freiburg. With Freiburg, he was part of the team that won the 2017/18 DFB Youth Cup. After four seasons with Freiburg II in the regional and third tiers, St. Pauli signed him ahead of the 2023/24 Bundesliga 2 season.
At St. Pauli, Treu immediately became a key player. He contributed one goal and two assists to help the club nicknamed Kiezkicker win promotion to the Bundesliga in his first season. The following season, he made 33 appearances and provided two assists, ensuring St. Pauli stayed in the top flight. That consistent form prompted Freiburg to bring him back in the summer of 2025.
Back at Freiburg, Treu needed little time to adapt. He scored his first Bundesliga goal from outside the box against Wolfsburg on matchday 15, and recorded 28 league appearances plus 14 Europa League matches, including Freiburg's historic run to the final against Aston Villa.
Treu's impressive displays at the start of the 2026/27 season, when Freiburg topped the table after matchday three, led Klopp to contact him via video call. According to Treu, the call was Klopp's way of getting to know him better before his first Germany call-up in September 2026. Treu's style of play is often compared to that of Nathaniel Brown, the Bayern Munich left-back signed from Eintracht Frankfurt. Both are quick and skilled in both attack and defense, though Treu operates on the right side.
"Philipp defends resolutely while also being capable of creating a goal threat. He brings a good mix of stamina and sprints. There is no need to add anything about his character and attitude." - Klemens Hartenbach, Freiburg's Sporting Director
Freiburg coach Julian Schuster also stressed the importance of maintaining the values and culture that have been built in the dressing room. He said that players like Treu who represent those values play a crucial role. "The important thing is maintaining the values and the culture that has been developed in the dressing room over the years. I do believe that this is a challenge, and that the guys who really represent these values – like Philipp Treu – play a crucial role," Schuster said.
Off the pitch, Treu is known for being disciplined on social media. For more than three years, he has posted only 11 times on Instagram, or about one post per thousand followers. If the Germany call-up does arrive, perhaps it is time for him to add one more post.
For readers in Indonesia, Treu's story reflects how a player who did not always shine in elite academies can find his way through hard work and consistency. Treu's development is also worth monitoring for football fans in Indonesia, especially ahead of international competitions. Will Klopp give Treu his Germany debut, and can he become a long-term solution at right-back? Time will tell, but one thing is certain: the name Philipp Treu is now increasingly hard to ignore.
