“Private reasons”: Leroy Sané to miss Germany friendly vs Peru (UPDATED)

Leroy Sané departed from the German national team’s hotel on Friday “for private reasons” according to information from the DFB (Kicker). The controversial left winger was notably among the final players cut from Germany’s World Cup 2018 squad and had recently been recalled by head coach Joachim Löw. Sané played in the final ten minutes of Germany’s UEFA Nations League match against France yesterday.

Sané reportedly conferred with Löw prior to leaving Munich. The reasons for his departure are unknown. Sané is currently struggling for playing time under Pep Guardiola at his club Manchester City. He has yet to start a match and was left off the team’s squad entirely a week ago. German teammate Toni Kroos — inadvertently or otherwise — furthermore revived criticism of Sané’s attitude on and off the pitch in his comments to the media at a press conference prior to the match against France, describing Sané as unmotivated and seemingly indifferent to his team’s success.

In Sané’s absence, it is likely that Löw will test other young players against Peru. Attacking midfielder/forward Kai Havertz, center-back Thilo Kehrer, and left-back Nico Schulz are expected to play. Löw stated, “It’s very likely that this or that young player will get a chance to start.”

UPDATE:

Per Ronan Murphy of Goal.com, Sane has left the Germany squad because his girlfriend is about to give birth. The announcement of Sane’s departure from the squad has sparked speculation of unrest with Joachim Low and his teammates, but it looks as if Sane has left to be with his girlfriend.