Patrick Macedo called up to the Rout Léiwen at 31

Having scored eleven goals in twelve matches for Walferdange, Patrick Macedo is joining the national squad at 31. His call-up answers Jeff Strasser’s search for a goalscorer, in a squad hit by several absences.

Eleven goals in twelve matches in Luxembourg’s top flight, followed by a first call-up to the national team at 31: Patrick Macedo has just reached a new milestone in a career built at Résidence Walferdange. Jeff Strasser has included his captain among the 25 players called up to face Estonia on 13 November and then Iceland on 16 November. The coach was looking for a forward capable of scoring, in a squad hit by several injuries.

For Macedo, the news initially seemed hard to believe. In an interview with L’essentiel, he says he truly took in the significance of his call-up when he saw the video announcing the squad. He has since joined the Rout Léiwen’s training camp in Lipperscheid. The national squad has opened a door for him; it remains to be seen how Strasser will use this new attacking option.

From the Promotion d’honneur to the national squad

The goalscorer’s recent trajectory explains the coach’s interest. Macedo was the top scorer in the Promotion d’honneur last season and has carried his scoring form into the higher division. His eleven goals in twelve top-flight matches this season, reported by L’essentiel, have come alongside Walferdange’s strong start. His success is therefore not limited to one standout match: it has continued through the opening part of the league season.

He has made this journey with the club he has always played for, where he is captain. Macedo also works as a car sales adviser. These two aspects give his call-up a human dimension: he is a player firmly established in his club’s life, whose recent performances have earned him an opening into the national team at 31.

In his conversation with L’essentiel, the forward sums up this rapid rise: “These past five months have been the craziest period of my career.” He also describes the national team as an honour and hopes to bring something back to Walferdange from the experience. The prospect is twofold: to discover a different working environment and to continue serving his club.

Why Strasser chose him

The coach said he was looking for a forward with goalscoring qualities. According to L’essentiel, he had also considered Ken Schmitz, of Jeunesse, and Dominik Stolz, of RFCU. He ultimately chose Macedo, whose scoring rate in the league he highlighted. His call-up therefore responds to an identified sporting need, beyond the surprise that a first place in the squad at this age might cause.

The make-up of the squad also plays a part. RTL Infos reports the absences of Kiki Martins, Yvandro Borges, Leandro Barreiro, Danel Sinani and Seid Korac. Laurent Jans, recovered from his injury, returns to the squad, as does Eldin Dzogovic. Tim Hall, of UNA Strassen, is also among those selected.

These changes affect several positions. They do not make Macedo the individual replacement for each of the absent players: the choice of forward is part of assembling a squad for two matches. For him, the next step will be to find his place in the group. His goals for Walferdange explain Strasser’s call; playing time, his role and a possible first appearance are decisions still to come.

Stade de Luxembourg will be full for the match against Estonia

The first fixture is scheduled for Friday 13 November at 20:45 at Stade de Luxembourg, against Estonia in the Nations League. The Luxembourg Football Federation announced on 11 November that the match would be a sell-out, with 9 214 spectators expected. The earlier indication that tickets were still available is therefore no longer current.

Luxembourg will then travel to Iceland on Monday 16 November to conclude this campaign. Macedo has been called up for this two-match run: that does not mean he has already been promised a place in the starting eleven against Estonia. His goals for Walferdange have already had a visible effect on his career: the coach’s call-up. The story of his matches in the national shirt has yet to be written.