Wael Muhaya set to make Germany debut after choosing country over Morocco

Wael Muhaya, the Borussia Monchengladbach teenager who was briefly without a contract last year, is on the verge of becoming the third-youngest player to represent Germany.

The 17-year-old has been selected by Germany head coach Jurgen Klopp among six players competing for attacking roles behind the centre-forward. If he plays against Serbia or the Netherlands, Muhaya will make his senior international debut and settle the question of his international future.

His breakthrough came in Borussia Monchengladbach’s 3-2 victory over Stuttgart, when he produced an outstanding display to help his side avoid another Bundesliga defeat. That performance strengthened his reputation as one of Germany’s most promising young players.

Muhaya subsequently made his Germany Under-21 debut, prompting Klopp to consider him for the senior squad. The call-up also ended a choice the player had been facing between Germany and Morocco, as he was born to Moroccan parents in Germany on 31 December 2008.

“Playing for the Under-21s was an ideal experience for me, and of course my goal is to become a senior international one day,” Muhaya told Bild. “I will continue working extremely hard, but my focus is currently on Monchengladbach.”

Bild reported that the Moroccan Football Federation had tried to persuade him to represent Morocco. Muhaya, however, appears to have chosen the country of his birth.

Monchengladbach nearly lost their young star

Muhaya was born in Mettmann and raised in Monchengladbach. He began playing for SV Straelen before joining Borussia Monchengladbach’s academy at the age of seven.

His first Bundesliga appearance came against Wolfsburg on 13 December 2025, although his path to the first team had nearly been interrupted. His academy contract expired in June 2025 and he spent several days without an agreement, while the club’s management was concentrating on Kylian Sauck’s future.

Chief executive Stefan Stegemann intervened after being impressed by Muhaya during the Under-17 youth league. The teenager scored twice against Bayern Munich and added another goal in the final against Leipzig, convincing the club that he could not be allowed to leave.

Less than 18 months later, his market value had risen to about 17 million euros, with his reputation continuing to grow across Europe. Bayern Munich are among the clubs monitoring him, although Monchengladbach head coach Alexander Blessin says the attention has not changed him.

“I don’t feel that there has been any change in his awareness or personality. He is simply Wael,” Blessin said.

From childcare to a professional career

Only a few months ago, Muhaya was working at a primary school in an after-school childcare programme. In January, he said he had agreed with his parents to complete a year of voluntary community service, which began in the summer, to gain a qualification for admission to an advanced technical college.

A six-year-old girl there struggled to pronounce his first name and called him “Waffle”, a nickname that has since followed him into the Borussia dressing room.

“My parents take care of everything. I receive a monthly allowance and live a good life,” he told Bild.

Muhaya’s parents manage his sporting and financial affairs with CAA Stellar. His annual salary, including bonuses, remains below one million euros, but his contract runs until 2028 and could be extended with a substantial pay rise. It is expected to reach about two million euros if he renews.

Despite interest from major European clubs, Muhaya’s priority is helping Monchengladbach through their difficulties, while the club hopes to retain him until his value rises further.