Nadiem Amiri, the German midfielder of Afghan descent, has experienced a remarkable career turnaround. After falling out of favor at Bayer Leverkusen, he has found a new lease of life at Mainz, becoming a key figure in their push for European football.
Amiri’s journey began in Ludwigshafen, Germany, where he developed his footballing talents at local clubs before joining the youth academies of 1. FC Kaiserslautern and SV Waldhof Mannheim. He eventually joined TSG Hoffenheim’s academy in 2012 and made his Bundesliga debut for the club in 2015. After impressing at Hoffenheim, he earned a move to Bayer Leverkusen in 2019.
His time at Leverkusen, however, was marked by inconsistency and disciplinary issues. A failed transfer to Leeds United in 2023 led to his exclusion from the squad, and his future in German football seemed uncertain.
Seeking a fresh start, Amiri joined Mainz in January 2024. This move proved to be a catalyst for his resurgence. Under manager Bo Svensson, he has flourished, becoming a driving force in Mainz’s midfield. He has showcased his creativity, vision, and impressive passing range, earning plaudits from fans and pundits alike.
His performances have been backed up by impressive statistics. He has already scored five goals and provided four assists in the Bundesliga this season, a significant improvement on his output at Leverkusen. He ranks highly in key attacking metrics, including goals per 90 minutes (0.23), shot-creating actions (4.53 per 90), and key passes (2.03 per 90).
Amiri’s impact extends beyond the numbers. His ability to unlock defenses with his incisive passing and create chances for his teammates has been crucial to Mainz’s success. He has also shown a renewed focus and maturity, becoming a leader on and off the pitch.
His recent performance against RB Leipzig, where he scored the equalizer and assisted the winning goal, was a testament to his resurgence. This victory was particularly significant as Mainz became the only team besides Leverkusen to defeat all of the “big” Bundesliga sides this season, a fact proudly highlighted by Svensson.
Amiri himself has spoken about his improved form, stating, “We came back and played like Mainz 05. We took the next step. I’ll take it.” He also humorously commented on the scrutiny he faces, saying, “Whenever I miss and get selected for the Kicker team-of-the-week, I get 500 stupid messages.”
On the international stage, Amiri has represented Germany at various youth levels, including the U21 team that won the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He made his senior debut for Germany in 2019 but has not featured since 2020. His recent performances for Mainz, however, have sparked discussions about a potential return to the national team setup.
Nadiem Amiri’s journey from Leverkusen outcast to Mainz maestro is a testament to his ability to overcome adversity and rediscover his best form. His performances have been instrumental in Mainz’s impressive campaign, and if he can maintain this level, he could play a key role in their push for European football and a potential return to the German national team.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.