Borussia Monchengladbach youngster Wael Mahya explains why he chose Germany over Morocco

Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Wael Mahya has explained his decision to represent Germany at international level despite strong interest from Morocco, admitting that conversations with head coach Jurgen Klopp played a decisive role in his choice.

The 17-year-old, who is of Moroccan descent, recently received his first call-up to the German senior national team for their UEFA Nations League fixtures against Serbia and the Netherlands, having previously represented the country at youth level.

His invitation to the senior squad represents an important milestone in his development, with Germany keen to assess his potential as part of their plans to build a younger and more competitive team.

Mahya, however, has attracted attention not only because of his international promotion but also because of the competition between Germany and Morocco for his international allegiance.

The youngster acknowledged that Morocco had shown interest in securing his services but insisted that his family connections with the North African country remain important to him.

Speaking in an interview with German newspaper Bild, Mahya admitted that his Moroccan heritage continues to hold a special place in his life.

“My parents are from there; Morocco is part of my family, and I have great respect for that,” he said.

Despite his strong connection to Morocco, the midfielder explained that Klopp’s approach and vision for his development convinced him to accept Germany’s invitation without hesitation.

“He convinced me with his ideas, and I immediately realised he is a wonderful person,” Mahya revealed.

“I look forward to working with him on the pitch over the coming months, and I am confident that he will help me develop and improve.”

Mahya further disclosed that the discussions surrounding his international future were conducted in an open and honest manner, with his parents also participating in the conversations.

He described the exchanges as very positive, stressing that having his parents present was an important part of the process before making such a significant decision about his international career.

The Borussia Monchengladbach youngster also made it clear that Klopp did not offer him any guarantees of regular playing time or a permanent place in the German national team.

Instead, the German coach reportedly challenged him to earn his opportunities through hard work, commitment and performances on the pitch.

“He told me that everything here must be earned through my own effort, and that I have to deserve every opportunity I receive,” Mahya explained.

The teenager’s first senior call-up has already provided him with an opportunity to experience the demands of international football, although he was not included in Germany’s matchday squad for their 3-1 victory over Serbia last Friday.

Reports in Germany also suggest that he could miss out on selection for the decisive encounter against the Netherlands as Klopp continues to assess his options.

Nevertheless, his inclusion in the senior setup represents a significant step in his career, particularly given his age and the competition for places within the German squad.

Klopp, who has been tasked with overseeing Germany’s long-term development beyond the 2030 World Cup, is understood to be keen on building a younger generation capable of sustaining the country’s competitiveness at international level.

For Mahya, the decision to commit his immediate international future to Germany was not an easy one, especially considering his family’s Moroccan roots.

The midfielder acknowledged the difficulty of choosing between two countries to which he has a strong connection, recognising that such decisions carry significant emotional weight for dual-nationality players.

However, Klopp’s vision and the development opportunities presented by Germany ultimately proved decisive in his choice.

His international future will now be closely watched by both German and Moroccan football supporters as the highly rated youngster continues his development at Borussia Monchengladbach.