Pascal Groß Reflects on Germany Exit and Brighton Success

Pascal Groß watched the decisive kicks from the touchline. Julian Nagelsmann never called his name.

Germany’s shoot-out defeat came after 120 tense minutes had finished 1-1. When the first five takers from each side had done their job, the pressure cranked up again. TV cameras caught Joshua Kimmich desperately searching for more volunteers as the list ran dry and the moment grew heavier.

Leon Goretzka said no. So Jonathan Tah stepped up as Germany’s sixth taker – and launched the first penalty of his career over the bar.

Groß, a natural technician and dead-ball specialist, might have seemed an obvious option. He had been ready for that scenario.

“I was prepared for this scenario, but I don't want to rake it over now,” he told kicker when asked about a possible role in the shoot-out. The topic never resurfaced with Nagelsmann after the defeat. “No, there was no conversation. It hurt him enormously too, of course, everyone was devastated,” Groß said.

The pain of that night has since been followed by a quieter ending with the national team.

At the World Cup in North America, Groß managed just 17 minutes, coming off the bench in the group match against Ecuador. That was his only real glimpse of the tournament. When Jürgen Klopp took over as Germany head coach, the 35-year-old’s name disappeared from the squad list. Given his age and the new start under Klopp, it hardly raised eyebrows, even if Groß himself had not yet gone public with any retirement decision.

“After the World Cup, with a bit of distance, I had already decided that the matter was over for me,” he admitted. There was no big summit, no emotional farewell call. “I did not have a conversation with the head coach. For me, not being nominated is not a problem.”

So where does that leave him now?

Groß closes his Germany chapter with 19 caps and one goal – modest numbers for a player so admired in the Premier League. And while his international career has stalled, his club form is anything but fading.

At Brighton, he has exploded into the new season. The Seagulls sit third heading into the international break, driven by their veteran playmaker. Groß has already produced three goals and four assists in just five Premier League games, numbers that underline his enduring sharpness and influence.

For Germany, his story seems written. For Brighton, it looks like he is only just starting another compelling chapter.