Middle Dardai brother switches allegiance to Hungary

Heavily-capped German youth international Marton Dardai confirmed on Monday that he had opted to represent the Hungarian national football team from now on.  

Despite being capped heavily at Germany’s highest youth level and even featuring prominently for Antonio di Salvo’s U21s during the latest international break, Hertha BSC center back Marton Dardai has opted to switch his allegiance to one of Germany’s future group-stage opponents in this summer’s European Championships. Dardai (21) has thus opted to follow in the footsteps of his father Pal (47) and older brother Palko (24).

All three Dardai footballing siblings are currently serving under the aegis of their father Pal at Hertha BSC. Pal – himself in the midst of his third stint as the head-coach of the capital city’s Charlottenburg side – has deployed defender Marton 18 times this season. Palko, a striker, has scored one goal in seven appearances. Younger brother Bence (17) has also made eight appearances in attack. Bence has represented Germany at the U18 level and below.

“I gave myself plenty of time to make a final decision,” Marton announced on his instagram feed this evening, “but I used the days off at the end of last year intensively to make a decision together with my family and advisors. It goes without saying that the decision was not an easy one, but I will be playing for Hungary in the future.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the German fans and, above all, all the DFB coaches and coaching teams,” Marton’s statement continued, “I know that I also owe my career to the German youth national teams and for that I say THANK YOU! But the decision is also a matter close to my heart and that’s why I’m incredibly happy to be playing for my parents’ home country in the future.”

It remains possible that Marton might feature for Hungary against Germany in the Euros this summer. Since he turned pro, the 21-year-old’s estimated market value has risen to €2.5 million. That would make him the third most valuable player in Marco Rossi’s squad. Only Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez (€20 million) and recent Freiburg arrival Attila Szalai (€10 million) maintain higher values.

More about Márton Dárdai

More about Hertha BSC