Ibrahim Maza proud to represent Algeria despite interest from Germany

Ibrahim Maza has reaffirmed his commitment to Algeria after producing a goal and an assist for Bayer Leverkusen in front of Germany manager Jurgen Klopp.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder was outstanding in Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Freiburg, capping his performance with a decisive contribution for Patrik Schick. Maza’s run along the byline before setting up Schick also prompted comparisons with Florian Wirtz.

Klopp watched the game from the stands at the BayArena, but his presence did not cause Maza to reconsider the international decision he made in September 2024.

“I hope he considers me a good player. But today, I am an Algeria international and I am proud of that,” Maza said, while acknowledging that Germany already had several outstanding players.

His comments carry particular significance. Born in Berlin and developed in Germany, Maza represented the country at every youth level from Under-17 to Under-20. His background could have led him towards the senior Germany team, but he opted for Algeria before establishing himself at the highest level.

Family ties to Algeria played an important role in that decision, as Maza explained several months later. His choice has since taken on greater importance as he has emerged as one of the Bundesliga’s leading young talents, with German media beginning to consider what Germany may have missed out on.

However, Maza also gave a sporting explanation for his decision in November 2025. Speaking to Sky Sport Germany, he said he believed his prospects of playing at a World Cup were greater with Algeria because of the competition for places in his position from Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz.

“From a purely sporting point of view,” he stressed.

Those remarks led to controversy and prompted people around the player to underline his deep attachment to Algeria. His pride in representing the country now does not necessarily conflict with the calculation he described at the time: Maza chose Algeria both because of his family connection and the sporting opportunities he felt it offered.

His situation has also been compared with that of Younes Ebnoutalib. The Eintracht Frankfurt forward, who was also born in Germany and eligible to represent a North African country, recently chose Germany over Morocco.

Ebnoutalib had been monitored by the FRMF and contacted by Mohamed Ouahbi, but said Klopp’s personal intervention persuaded him to select the Mannschaft.

“When Klopp calls, you cannot say no,” he said.

The two players made different choices in different circumstances. Ebnoutalib was convinced by Klopp, while Maza prioritised Algeria’s sporting prospects without abandoning his family ties.

With Maza now flourishing at Leverkusen, his public expression of pride is welcome news for Algeria supporters, who may have a future star in their ranks and a player who appears entirely content to represent the Fennecs.