Ibrahim Maza: From Hertha Berlin understudy to Germany’s rising star and Messi’s Kopa pick

Ibrahim Maza’s rise from an overlooked talent in the Hertha Berlin academy to one of Bayer Leverkusen’s most influential players has been built on more than natural ability. The 20-year-old Algeria international combined outstanding close control with a resilience that has now attracted attention from Paris Saint-Germain and earned recognition from Lionel Messi.

Maza joined Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2025 for about €12m, with the difficult task of helping replace Florian Wirtz following his move to Liverpool. He has responded impressively, scoring four goals and providing four assists in 14 matches during his second season at the club. His contract runs until 2030.

Messi selected Maza among his top three players for the Kopa Trophy, alongside Barcelona pair Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi. “Being chosen by Lionel Messi is, of course, a great honour,” Maza told RTL. “When Messi says that this player has talent, it gives you an extra boost of motivation.”

Maza has never hidden his biggest ambition. Asked if he dreamed of winning the Ballon d’Or, he replied: “It has been my dream since forever.”

‘A crown from Ronaldinho’

Maza’s technical ability was particularly evident in Bayer Leverkusen’s 4-2 defeat by Stuttgart, according to German network Spox. Despite facing constant pressure, he repeatedly escaped opponents in tight areas, retained possession and changed direction in an instant.

His performance prompted DAZN commentator Jan Platte to say that, had Ronaldinho been at the stadium, he might have come on to hand Maza his crown.

“I feel very comfortable with the ball; we are close friends,” Maza said in an interview with RTL. “It is a great feeling when the ball is between your feet, and I try to be an inseparable part of it.”

Yet his appeal is not limited to flair. Former Hertha Berlin youth coach Pal Dardai warned him early in his development: “If you continue being lazy like this, you will achieve nothing.”

Oliver Reiss, who coached Maza at Hertha Berlin and is now Manchester City Under-21 manager, said the player was not initially regarded as an exceptional prospect. Maza was not a regular starter for the Under-17 side during the first half of the season, while attention focused on players including current Wolfsburg player Bence Dardai and Eintracht Frankfurt player Noel Aseko.

Reiss said Maza gradually became more prominent because “he did things slightly differently with the ball”. What impressed him most, he added, was Maza’s response when matches became difficult. Unlike players who disappeared after a poor start, Maza continued trying to influence games and find ways to help his team.

From Hertha debut to Leverkusen

Under Reiss, Maza developed into a key player at Under-19 level. “Under his guidance, I made my biggest progress,” Maza said on Hertha Berlin’s official website in 2024.

He made his Bundesliga debut in April 2023, aged 17, coming on as a substitute in Hertha Berlin’s 2-0 defeat by Bayern Munich. After the club were relegated, a meniscus injury disrupted his progress, but he returned to establish himself in the first team before deciding to move on in 2025.

Maza was born and raised in Berlin, and represented Germany from Under-18 to Under-20 level. His father is Algerian and his mother Vietnamese, giving him the option of representing all three countries. He eventually chose Algeria more than two years ago.

“I love all three countries, but I made my decision for different reasons, and those reasons are personal,” he said.

He also wanted to play senior international football as soon as possible. His Algeria debut came in October 2024, about six weeks before his 19th birthday, and he has since won 24 caps. He featured at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco between the end of 2025 and the start of 2026, earning the nickname “Mazadona” from Algerian websites.

Maza also started Algeria’s World Cup campaign last summer. They were eliminated in the last 16 by Switzerland after a 2-0 defeat. In the group stage, Algeria lost 3-0 to Argentina, with Messi scoring a hat-trick.

Ahead of Algeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Togo on 14 November 2026, Maza’s progress continues to draw attention. Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav reportedly told him after their recent meeting: “Go to Paris, my friend. I don’t want to play against you any more!”

Undav later praised him on Sky, describing Leverkusen as having a special midfielder capable of creating space and winning one-on-one battles. With Paris Saint-Germain monitoring him, Maza’s journey from Hertha’s substitutes’ bench to the European spotlight is gathering pace.