Nathaniel Brown: The left back Germany have been waiting for

A sunny day off from work in the midst of your first World Cup is not a bad way to celebrate turning 23. But such has been life for Nathaniel Brown of late, that having a birthday on Tuesday fits perfectly with the good vibes train he has long been on.

"You see how hard the kid works, every single day. To play like that in his first World Cup game and score a goal right away is outstanding for someone his age," said forward Kai Havertz. "We need players like that on the Germany team."

Just four years after signing his first professional contract, Brown, whose nickname is "Nene", is at a World Cup. The move from Nürnberg to Bundesliga team Entracht Frankfurt came in 2024 and, after a slow start, he emerged as a regular. Even though the club struggled in the recently-finished campaign, Brown was voted the club's Player of the Season.

His first Germany cap came in October 2025. But before the game against Ghana in March this year, he had only played 26 minutes for Germany. He was seen as one to watch. But by the time Germany left for the USA in early June, he had edged ahead of David Raum. Now, after a goal and an assist in the 7-1 win over Curacao, his absence from the starting eleven is unthinkable.

Brown: The answer Germany have long been waiting

Germany have been on the search for a reliable option since the stable Jona Hector retired from internationals in 2020. It hasn't been easy. Marcel Halstenberg, Robin Gosens, Christian Günter, Thilo Kehrer, Maximilian Mittelstädt and David Raum have all tried to make the position their own.

Of all those players, Raum looked the closest to making the spot his own but his inconsistent form left the spot open to a challenger. Enter Brown — a quiet, young man who is strong in the tackle and has made all areas of the left-hand side his own. Perhaps most importantly, his humility means he has let his work on the field do the talking.

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann said Brown's biggest problem was that he didn't know how good he was. Proof of that was perhaps best seen with set-pieces. Brown wasn't sure he was good enough to take them, but "the set-piece coach told me, 'you can do it'," Brown said. Good thing too, because his corner set up Nico Schlotterbeck in Houston. Half an hour later, Brown sent a sweet volley into the far corner for a goal on his World Cup debut.

"I can't even describe it," Brown said afterwards. "I will never forget it. It was one of the best moments in my career."

"He's a lovely person, who is humble and really keen to learn. He has a cheeky side to him too, which I really like," Nagelsmann said.

Germany captain Joshua Kimmich said Brown was quiet and reserved off the field, but brave and full of quality on it. Antonio Rüdiger said he turns into "a monster" on the pitch.

When Brown joined the World Cup training camp in Germany, he wasn't sure which form of you to address legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer with, the colloquial one (du) or the formal (Sie). Presumably that issue has long been solved, but Brown's quiet quality is an encouraging sign for the future of this team. Likely too for Bayern Munich, who are reportedly on the verge of signing the left back.

Germany or the USA?

Brown, whose mother is German and father is American, told Bild earlier in the year that playing for Germany was never in doubt.

"About a year ago, there was a phone call with the US federation. But I immediately said that I only want to play for Germany. This is where my roots are, I grew up here," said Brown. "Since I have no contact with my biological father in the USA, the decision was clear for me. I grew up German, so it was always my goal to play for the DFB."

Fitting then that his emergence as a rising star for Germany would come on US soil. While the ultimate test will come when he has less time and space to roam forward, there is genuine excitement around what Brown will deliver during the rest of this tournament, especially if this was his first act. After all, it has been a long time since Germany has been this excited by a defender, let alone a left back.

Edited by: Matt Pearson