The Stuttgart forward has proved an unexpected hero for Germany at the World Cup after scoring three goals in the first two group games and feels that his eye for goal is instinctive.
Undav told FIFA.com: "To be honest, it’s normal for me. It’s just something I can do. There are no situations where I have to stop and think. I understand football really well and I can anticipate specific situations more quickly than my opponents. I was born to score goals."
The striker's rise is all the more remarkable as he was working in a factory during his days as a semi-professional footballer and he confessed that he never even dreamed of representing his country at the World Cup.
Undav said: "I didn't believe it, in fact it wasn’t even in my dreams. I just wanted to carry on playing at this level for another 14 or 15 years. I wasn’t thinking in terms of moving up the leagues, but perhaps to a team that pays a bit more. I thought I would stick with my job and earn my money, but then I moved to Braunschweig. I got injured, but I carried on and at some point I thought I should be playing in the first team, as I was scoring loads of goals for the reserves. But in football, it is rare for young players to be trusted when the going gets tough. The call from Meppen represented the next step for me, meaning that could give up my day job and just stay in the 3. Liga."
Germany - who take on Ecuador in their final group game on Thursday (25.06.26) - have already sealed a place in the knockout stages and Undav is confident that the four-time champions "can go a long way" in the tournament.
He said: "The games to come will be just as close as that one against Ivory Coast, and we will need every member of the squad. Our preparations have been good for both games so far. Regardless of who you are playing against, there are phases in every match that you just have to get through, and we have managed that very well on both occasions. We have to stay positive and believe in ourselves - which is what we are doing. Every player simply has to give 100 per cent, at least then we know we gave our all. But I am confident that we can go a long way."
