Patrik Schick has reopened the possibility of returning to the Czech Republic national team. The Bayer Leverkusen striker retired on 25 June after the Czechs went out in the World Cup group stage in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The 30-year-old said his decision had been shaped less by that tournament exit than by his wider experience with the national side in recent years. Now, after a productive start in Leverkusen colours, he sees a route back.
Quick facts
- Schick stepped away from the Czech national team on 25 June.
- He has scored four goals across the first four Bundesliga matchdays.
- He is the highest-scoring Czech player in Bundesliga history.
- New Czech coach Santiago Denia Sanchez replaced Miroslav Koubek after the World Cup.
- Czech Republic lost 3-1 to Spain and 2-0 to England in recent Nations League matches.
Speaking while receiving the Czech Player of the Season award, Schick said a comeback could be discussed if he was fit and felt able to contribute. He added that his current condition would make him “a major asset” to the squad.
That assessment is supported by his league form. Four goals in four rounds have given Leverkusen an early-season focal point, while also strengthening the case for a fresh conversation with the federation.
Denia Sanchez has already made clear that he intends to speak with Schick about a return. The Spanish coach has also brought a clearer structure to the Czech side in his first games, despite the Nations League defeats to Spain and England.
Both losses were respectable, and the team showed a recognisable approach under the new coach. That shift appears important for Schick, who had previously questioned the direction of Czech football.
In the summer, he said the national game had more potential than it had shown in recent years and argued that long-term problems needed to be addressed. He stressed that the criticism came from concern for Czech football rather than anger after the World Cup.
Schick had felt that national-team appearances had harmed players’ image and transfer value. The contrast was sharp with Euro 2021, when he scored five times and shared the Golden Boot with Cristiano Ronaldo.
A return later this year now looks possible. Fitness, form and Denia Sanchez’s plans will decide whether Leverkusen’s centre-forward again wears the Czech shirt.
