{{short description|German footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}} {{Infobox football biography |name = Paul Nebel |image = Paul_Nebel_with_Mainz_05_(2026).jpg |caption = Paul Nebel with Mainz 05 in 2026 |upright = 0.98 |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|2002|10|10}} |birth_place = Bad Nauheim, Germany |height = 1.69 m |position = Attacking midfielder, winger |currentclub = Mainz 05 |clubnumber = 8 |youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2012 |youthclubs1 = SC Germania Nieder-Mockstadt |youthyears2 = 2012–2013 |youthclubs2 = KSV Klein-Karben |youthyears3 = 2014–2016 |youthclubs3 = Kickers Offenbach |youthyears4 = 2016–2020 |youthclubs4 = Mainz 05 |years1 = 2020–2022 |clubs1 = Mainz 05 II |caps1 = 34 |goals1 = 7 |years2 = 2020– |clubs2 = Mainz 05 |caps2 = 75 |goals2 = 15 |years3 = 2022–2024 |clubs3 = → Karlsruher SC (loan) |caps3 = 65 |goals3 = 9 |nationalyears1 = 2017 |nationalteam1 = Germany U15 |nationalcaps1 = 1 |nationalgoals1 = 0 |nationalyears2 = 2017–2018 |nationalteam2 = Germany U16 |nationalcaps2 = 10 |nationalgoals2 = 0 |nationalyears3 = 2018–2019 |nationalteam3 = Germany U17 |nationalcaps3 = 10 |nationalgoals3 = 3 |nationalyears4 = 2020 |nationalteam4 = Germany U19 |nationalcaps4 = 1 |nationalgoals4 = 0 |nationalyears5 = 2021–2023 |nationalteam5 = Germany U20 |nationalcaps5 = 14 |nationalgoals5 = 3 |nationalyears6 = 2023–2025 |nationalteam6 = Germany U21 |nationalcaps6 = 14 |nationalgoals6 = 2 |pcupdate = 17:28, 16 May 2026 (UTC) |ntupdate = 10:15, 29 June 2025 (UTC) |medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's football}} {{MedalCountry|{{fb|GER}}}} {{MedalCompetition|UEFA European Under-21 Championship}} {{Medal|RU|2025 Slovakia|}} }}
'''Paul Nebel''' ({{IPA|de|paʊ̯l ˈneːbl̩|-|}}; born 10 October 2002) is a German professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for {{German football updater|FSVMainz}} club Mainz 05.<ref>{{WorldFootball.net}}</ref>
==Club career== ===Professional debut=== Nebel made his debut for Mainz 05 in the first round of the 2020–21 DFB-Pokal on 11 September 2020, coming on as a substitute in the 60th minute for Levin Öztunalı against fourth-division side TSV Havelse. He assisted Jean-Philippe Mateta's 90th minute goal helping to complete a hat-trick, with the match finishing as a 5–1 win.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/match-report/ma9100540/lineup/ |title=Germany » DFB-Pokal 2020/2021 » 1. Round » TSV Havelse – 1. FSV Mainz 05 1:5 |website=WorldFootball.net |date=11 September 2020 |access-date=20 September 2020}}</ref> He made his Bundesliga debut the following week on 20 September, coming on as a substitute for Mateta in the 90+1st minute of Mainz's away match against RB Leipzig, which finished as a 3–1 loss.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/match-report/ma9114366/lineup/ |title=Germany » Bundesliga 2020/2021 » 1. Round » RB Leipzig – 1. FSV Mainz 05 3:1 |website=WorldFootball.net |date=20 September 2020 |access-date=20 September 2020}}</ref>
===Loan and breakthrough=== After a successful two-year-long loan spell at Karlsruher SC in the German second division, Nebel became a key-player for Mainz, registering ten goals and six assists in the 2024–25 season. He finished sixth with Mainz, qualifying for the UEFA Conference League play-offs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paul Nebel {{!}} Statistiken {{!}} Bundesliga 2025/26 |url=https://www.kicker.de/paul-nebel/spieler-spieldaten |access-date=2026-03-19 |website=kicker |language=de-DE}}</ref>
===2025–26=== On 20 September 2025, he'd score his first goal of the 2025–26 Bundesliga season in a 4–1 win over FC Augsburg.<ref>{{Cite web |last=sportschau.de |title=Tor nach Rückkehr: Mainzer Nebel - "Habe große Lust gehabt, wieder auf dem Platz zu stehen" |url=https://www.sportschau.de/fussball/bundesliga/mainzer-nebel-habe-grosse-lust-gehabt-wieder-auf-dem-platz-zu-stehen,audio-m05-nebel-100.html |access-date=2026-04-10 |website=sportschau.de |language=de}}</ref> After a five month long goal and assist drought, he'd register his first assist of the season in a 1–1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen, on 28 February 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leverkusen 1-1 Mainz (Feb 28, 2026) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/746925/mainz-bayer-leverkusen |access-date=2026-04-10 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref> His assist opened the door to a run of strong performances, scoring a goal against Werder Bremen,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bremen 0-2 Mainz (Mar 15, 2026) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/746946/mainz-werder-bremen |access-date=2026-04-10 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref> a brace against Eintracht Frankfurt a week later,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mainz 2-1 Frankfurt (Mar 22, 2026) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/746958/eintracht-frankfurt-mainz |access-date=2026-04-10 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref> and assisting in the Conference League round of 16 and quarter-final against Sigma Olomouc<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mainz 2-0 Sigma Olomouc (Mar 19, 2026) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/401862859/sigma-olomouc-mainz |access-date=2026-04-10 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref> and RC Strasbourg<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mainz 2-0 Strasbourg (Apr 9, 2026) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/401862920/strasbourg-mainz |access-date=2026-04-10 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref> in two 2–0 victories. On 25 April, Nebel scored in a 3–4 loss to Bayern Munich.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mainz 3-4 Bayern (Apr 25, 2026) Game Analysis |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/report/_/gameId/746990 |access-date=2026-04-26 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref>
==International career== Nebel is a youth international for Germany<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Dempsey |first1=Andrew |url=https://punditarena.com/football/andrew-dempsey/bundesliga-starlet-still-on-ireland-u21-radar-despite-germany-call-up/|title=Bundesliga starlet still on Ireland U21 radar despite Germany call-up|work=Pundit Arena |date=10 May 2022}}</ref> and is eligible to represent the Republic of Ireland under FIFA's grandparent rule through his maternal grandmother.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.getfootballnewsgermany.com/2025/irish-eligible-nebel-commitment-to-germany/ |title=Irish eligible Paul Nebel speaks on commitment to Germany: "I love my home and national anthem." |publisher=Get Football News Germany |date=21 March 2025 }}</ref>
He made his debut for the Germany under-21 side in 2023 and would take part at the under-21 Euros in 2025, finishing runner-up. Scoring two goals in the tournament, he assisted his fellow Mainz teammate Nelson Weiper in the final and scored a longe range goal himself, carrying his team to extra-time against England, in a 2–3 loss.<ref>{{Cite web |title=England 3-2 Germany (Jun 28, 2025) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/724178/germany-u21-england-u21 |access-date=2026-03-18 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Under-21 Euro top scorers |url=https://de.uefa.com/under21/news/029a-1dfc3e9b11c7-a439f8c8e717-1000--under-21-euro-top-scorer-nick-woltemade/ |url-status=live |access-date=10 April 2026 |website=UEFA}}</ref>
Two months later, in August 2025, Nebel earned his first call-up to the German senior national team, with coach Julian Nagelsmann selecting him for the World Cup 2026 qualifiers, though he remained unused.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/germany-squad-fifa-world-cup-qualifiers-slovakia-northern-ireland-nagelsmann-33713 |title=Julian Nagelsmann selects three fresh faces for September's FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers |publisher=Bundesliga |date=27 August 2025 }}</ref>
==Playing style== Technically gifted, Nebel is two-footed and primarily plays as an attacking midfielder, able to play centrally and wide.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-17 |title=So funktioniert der Urs-Fischer-Fußball bei Mainz 05 |url=https://www.allgemeine-zeitung.de/sport/fussball/fussball-bundesliga/mainz-05-so-funktioniert-der-urs-fischer-fussball-5522295 |access-date=2026-04-11 |website=Allgemeine Zeitung |language=de}}</ref> His strengths are his dribbling, speed, crosses, volleys and powerful shots, which also enables him to play as a winger.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-26 |title=Mainz 05: Das ist das Erfolgsgeheimnis von Mittelfeld-Juwel Paul Nebel |url=https://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/mainz-05-das-ist-das-erfolgsgeheimnis-von-mittelfeld-juwel-paul-nebel-67448d1248afcc0e4ec313d1 |access-date=2026-04-11 |website=bild.de |language=de}}</ref> Referred to as '''Der Wirbelwind' (whirlwind'' in English)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-20 |title=Die Sonne scheint über U21-Nationalspieler Paul Nebel von Mainz 05 |url=https://www.fr.de/sport/fussball/die-sonne-scheint-ueber-u21-nationalspieler-paul-nebel-von-mainz-05-93637396.html |access-date=2026-04-11 |website=www.fr.de |language=de}}</ref> by some due to his short physique, he is known for his high workrate, also helping his team defensively, which has, on the other hand, also led to three red cards in 2025, setting a record.<ref>{{Cite web |last=kicker |title=Paul Nebel (Spielerdaten) |url=https://www.kicker.de/paul-nebel/spieler-spieldaten |url-status=live |access-date=11 April 2026 |website=kicker.de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=kicker |date=1 December 2025 |title=Dritter Platzverweis 2025: DFB sperrt Nebel erneut |url=https://www.kicker.de/dritter-platzverweis-2025-dfb-sperrt-nebel-erneut-1171243/artikel |url-status=live |access-date=11 April 2026 |website=kicker.de}}</ref>
==Personal life== Nebel was born in Bad Nauheim in the state of Hesse. His father Marco Nebel is a football coach himself, having been his first coach.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-04-14 |title=Dieser Wetterauer ist eines der größten deutschen Talente im Fußball |url=https://www.wetterauer-zeitung.de/sport/lokalsport/dieser-wetterauer-eines-groessten-deutschen-talente-fussball-12219842.html |access-date=2026-04-11 |website=www.wetterauer-zeitung.de |language=de}}</ref> His mother Gitti Nebel is half Irish.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-10-10 |title=Paul Nebel {{!}} Steckbrief, Bilder und News |url=https://web.de/magazine/sport/thema/paul-nebel |access-date=2026-04-11 |website=WEB.DE News |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-04-14 |title=Dieser Wetterauer ist eines der größten deutschen Talente im Fußball |url=https://www.wetterauer-zeitung.de/sport/lokalsport/dieser-wetterauer-eines-groessten-deutschen-talente-fussball-12219842.html |access-date=2026-04-11 |website=www.wetterauer-zeitung.de |language=de}}</ref> Nebel's maternal grandmother is from Galway, Ireland.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-01 |title=Paul Nebel: Fast schon ein Riese |url=https://www.fr.de/sport/fussball/paul-nebel-macht-auf-sich-aufmerksam-bei-mainz-05-und-bei-der-nationalmannschaft-93811850.html |access-date=2026-04-11 |website=www.fr.de |language=de}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{Updated|match played 16 May 2026}}<ref>{{soccerway |id=561853 |name=Paul Nebel }}</ref>
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|DFB-Pokal !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="3"|Mainz 05 II |2020–21 |Regionalliga Südwest |21||4||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||21||4 |- |2021–22 |Regionalliga Südwest |13||3||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||13||3 |- !colspan="2"|Total !34!!7!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!34!!7 |- |rowspan="5"|Mainz 05 |2020–21 |Bundesliga |4||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||5||0 |- |2021–22 |Bundesliga |10||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||11||0 |- |2024–25 |Bundesliga |31||10||2||0||colspan="2"|—||33||10 |- |2025–26 |Bundesliga |30||5||2||0||10{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Conference League}}||0||42||5 |- !colspan="2"|Total !75!!15!!6!!0!!10!!0!!91!!15 |- |rowspan="3"|Karlsruher SC (loan) |2022–23 |2. Bundesliga |32||4||2||0||colspan="2"|—||34||4 |- |2023–24 |2. Bundesliga |33||5||1||0||colspan="2"|—||34||5 |- !colspan="2"|Total !65!!9!!3!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!68!!9 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !174!!31!!9!!0!!10!!0!!193!!31 |} {{notelist}}
==Honours== '''Germany U21''' * UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 2025<ref>{{cite web |title=England 3-2 Germany (aet) highlights: Rowe header ensures Young Lions retain title |url=https://www.uefa.com/under21/news/029a-1e1c8234a435-fbf73cb016a8-1000--england-3-2-germany-aet-highlights-rowe-header-ensures-youn/ |website=uefa.com |access-date=29 June 2025 |language=en |date=28 June 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons}} * {{DFB}} * {{Kicker}} * {{Soccerway}}
{{1. FSV Mainz 05 squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nebel, Paul}} Category:2002 births Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from Bad Nauheim Category:Footballers from Darmstadt (region) Category:German people of Irish descent Category:German men's footballers Category:Men's association football wingers Category:Germany men's youth international footballers Category:Germany men's under-21 international footballers Category:1. FSV Mainz 05 players Category:1. FSV Mainz 05 II players Category:Karlsruher SC players Category:Bundesliga players Category:2. Bundesliga players Category:Regionalliga players Category:21st-century German sportsmen Category:Sportspeople of Irish descent