Bayer Leverkusen suffered a major blow on Saturday as rising star Ibrahim Maza was ruled out of their Bundesliga clash against Eintracht Frankfurt due to a knee injury.
The 20-year-old midfielder, widely regarded as the German club’s breakthrough talent this season, had been expected to feature in Round 19 but was withdrawn at the last minute, sparking concern among fans and the Algerian national team.
Maza, who joined Leverkusen last summer from Hertha Berlin, has rapidly adapted to top-flight football despite initial challenges.
The versatile midfielder has made 24 appearances across all competitions this season, contributing four goals and four assists, a performance level that earned him the nickname “Mazadona” among supporters in tribute to the late Diego Maradona.
His form has been pivotal for both club and country, particularly during Algeria’s recent Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Morocco, where he showcased his technical and tactical importance under coach Djamel Belmadi.
Leverkusen confirmed the setback in a brief statement on their official X account, describing the injury as a “minor knee issue” that prevented Maza from playing.
While the club emphasized that the decision was precautionary, fans remain worried that the problem could be more serious, as the young Algerian has yet to undergo detailed medical evaluations.
The timing of the injury adds to Algeria’s growing list of concerns ahead of key international fixtures. The national team will be without several regulars in the March window, including Jouan Hajjami, Youcef Atal, and Samir Cherki, with recovery periods ranging from three to six months for various ankle, Achilles, and hamstring issues.
Maza’s fitness will be closely monitored, as his creative influence and dynamism in midfield have made him a player Belmadi is unlikely to replace easily.
Despite the precautionary nature of the announcement, the knee injury is a significant blow to both Leverkusen and Algeria. T
he club will miss his energy and technical precision in upcoming Bundesliga fixtures, while the national team faces mounting pressure to maintain momentum in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup.
