By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Catapulted into the spotlight in just 12 months, German striker Nick Woltemade is preparing for a summer packed with opportunity and pressure.
After a standout 2024-25 Bundesliga season, the 23-year-old has emerged as one of the country's top forwards. Once struggling for form in Bremen, Woltemade got a free transfer to Stuttgart last year, which marked the start of a remarkable turnaround.
Now, he's set to lead the line in Saturday's German Cup final in Berlin, where Stuttgart will face second-division side Arminia Bielefeld. That could be followed by a call-up from Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann for the UEFA Nations League Final Four, where the national team will face Portugal, France, and Spain.
Woltemade has been a key figure for Germany's U-21 squad over the past year, and reports in Kicker and Bild suggest a senior team debut may be imminent.
Germany faces Portugal and star forward Cristiano Ronaldo on June 4 in Munich. Meanwhile, 2018 World Cup winner France and reigning European champion Spain will meet in Stuttgart for the other semifinal.
With confidence growing, Woltemade could also earn a spot in Germany's UEFA U-21 EURO squad, set to compete June 11-28.
"If that's the challenge this summer, I'm ready," the 1.98-meter-tall forward said with a smile.
Woltemade's early days at Stuttgart weren't easy - he was initially left out of the club's Champions League roster. But with 12 league goals and four in the Cup, he's since won over fans and become a cult favorite.
"No matter what comes in the next few weeks, I'm fully focused on Saturday's final," he said in a club statement.
Nicknamed "the two-meter Messi" and "Stuttgart's most impressive tower," Woltemade is known for his unorthodox playing style-holding up the ball skillfully and making fearless runs into the box.
But his appeal goes beyond his height. Fans admire his modest upbringing and the emotional family story behind his rise. Photos of his parents decorate his shin guards, and his father Tim, a lifelong Stuttgart supporter, has been cheering from the sidelines throughout.
"I know where I come from and I don't take any of this for granted," Woltemade said. "I stay calm and hope everyone else does too. This week is Cup week-and we're all dreaming of the big win."
When Stuttgart last won the Bundesliga title in 2007, Woltemade was just learning to kick a ball in his family's living room. The club's last German Cup victory came in 1997-before he was even born. ■
