Germany's World Cup star Jamal Musiala is enjoying playing alongside his fellow 23-year-old Florian Wirtz for the national side.
"I think Flo and I play really well together," the Bayern Munich forward said in an interview with the Bild tabloid.
The same goes for teammates Kai Havertz, Leroy Sané, Felix Nmecha and Aleksandar Pavlovic, he added.
"The whole team is in great spirits. No matter which position I play in, I can link up with anyone. But it’s true: Flo and I work very well together on the pitch; we can even swap positions from time to time. It’s just great fun to have that relaxed atmosphere and freedom on the pitch," said Musiala.
The two youngsters have long been seen as future hopes for the German national team after a disappointing decade following World Cup glory in 2014.
After group-stage exits in both 2018 and 2022, Germany are guaranteed to finish top of Group E thanks to the 7-1 thrashing of minnows Curaçao and the 2-1 comeback victory over Ivory Coast. The team faces Ecuador in New Jersey on Thursday, with the knockout stages to come next week.
Musiala and Wirtz - who endured a difficult first season at Liverpool - have made encouraging starts without setting the tournament alight so far.
"We want to show what we’re capable of in this tournament," Musiala said. "That’s what I push myself for every day."
After recovering from a horror lower-leg fracture at the Club World Cup in 2025 which kept him out for most of last season, Musiala said he knows he must "remain patient."
"I know that, especially after my injury, I need to be patient. But I also know that I have the quality to one day achieve the high goals I’ve set myself. I’m not putting any pressure on myself, though, when it comes to individual trophies."
The attacking midfielder is a big basketball fan and said he holds Golden State Warriors icon Steph Curry in high regard.
"He's worked hard to get to where he is today," Musiala said, adding that he wants to "radiate the same joy" as Curry does on court.
Speaking about Germany's supersub Deniz Undav, Musiala revealed that the Stuttgart striker, who has three goals off the bench at the World Cup so far, is partial to extra-hot sauces.
"That’s not for me – I don’t fancy having stomach problems," the youngster said.
