Wael Mohya chooses Germany after Jurgen Klopp call-up

Wael Mohya has been called up to the Germany senior squad for the first time by manager Jurgen Klopp, dealing another blow to Morocco’s efforts to secure the teenage midfielder’s international future.

The 17-year-old Borussia Monchengladbach attacking midfielder has been rewarded for his rapid progress with a place in Germany’s senior set-up. The decision is particularly disappointing for Morocco, who had been pursuing Mohya for several months because of his Moroccan parents.

Mohya was born in Mettmann, near Dusseldorf, and already has considerable experience with Germany’s youth teams. His breakthrough has accelerated after a strong run of form in the Bundesliga, including two consecutive goals at the age of 17 during a difficult start to the season for Borussia Monchengladbach.

According to insider Youssef Famz, Mohamed Ouahbi’s staff recently contacted Mohya about including him in Morocco’s November squad. The player is understood to have asked for more time to consider his options, while leaving the door open to representing Morocco.

However, messages from those around Mohya had suggested that Germany was his preferred destination. That inclination became clearer after Klopp personally intervened in the discussions.

The Germany manager is reported to have spoken directly to Mohya about his plans and attempted to persuade him to commit to the Mannschaft. His involvement appears to have proved decisive despite the efforts made by the Federation Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).

The episode has revived memories of another recent disappointment for Morocco involving Younes Ebnoutalib.

In September, the Eintracht Frankfurt striker also chose Germany after being approached by the FRMF. Klopp was again influential in that case, with Ebnoutalib explaining his decision by saying: “When Klopp calls you, you have to go.”

That comment now carries renewed significance. Despite Morocco’s status on the international stage, the influence and appeal of the former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund manager remain difficult for the Lions de l’Atlas to overcome.

Mohya’s decision follows a similar sequence of events to the Ebnoutalib case, with Klopp becoming involved while the player was still weighing up which country to represent. The possibility that the Germany manager could repeat what happened with Ebnoutalib had been raised recently.

For Mohamed Ouahbi and the FRMF, Mohya’s call-up represents a second setback against Germany in the space of a few weeks. After losing out on Ebnoutalib, Morocco now appear to have suffered the same outcome in another closely watched case involving a young player with Moroccan heritage.