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Said El Mala
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Said El Mala (born 26 August 2006) is a German professional footballer who plays as winger for Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]El Mala was born on 26 August 2006 in Krefeld, Germany.[2][3] His mother, Sabrina, is German, and his father, Mohammed, is Lebanese.[2] Both work at Düsseldorf-based consumer goods company Henkel.[4] His father played as a centre-back for Linner SV in Krefeld.[2] El Mala's younger brother, Malek, is also a professional footballer.[5]
Club career
[edit]El Mala began playing football with Linner SV, where his father had also played, joining the club on 30 March 2012[6] and playing until the under-11 level.[2] He then spent a brief period with KFC Uerdingen 05 during the U11 season,[7] before joining the youth academy of Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he remained until his release at age 14.[2] El Mala then joined TSV Meerbusch, before moving to Viktoria Köln in 2023.[2]
On 19 February 2024, El Mala signed his first professional contract with Viktoria Köln.[8] He made his senior debut two days later in a 3. Liga match against 1. FC Saarbrücken.[9] On 26 June 2024, he signed a contract with 1. FC Köln;[2] however, due to the club's transfer ban, he remained on loan at Viktoria Köln for the 2024–25 season.[5] After scoring 13 goals in 32 games, he was named the 2024–25 3. Liga Newcomer of the Season.[10]
On 19 July 2025, El Mala's contract was extended until 2030.[11] He scored his first Bundesliga goal on 31 August 2025, in Köln's 4–1 home win against SC Freiburg.[12]
International career
[edit]Born in Germany, El Mala is of Lebanese descent through his father.[13][14] He received his first call-up to the Germany national under-18 team in May 2024,[15] making his debut in a friendly against Denmark on 22 May 2024, replacing Bennit Bröger in the 60th minute.[16]
In May 2025, he was called up to the Germany under-19 squad for the 2025 UEFA European Under-19 Championship,[17] scoring a late winner against Norway to help Germany reach the semi-finals.[18] On 5 September 2025, El Mala made his debut for the under-21 side,[19] and went on to appear in the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification.[20]
El Mala received his first senior call-up from coach Julian Nagelsmann for the final two matches of Germany's 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign against Luxembourg and Slovakia.[21][22]
Style of play
[edit]El Mala is a versatile winger known for his pace, dribbling, and direct attacking style. He often cuts inside from wide positions to create or finish scoring opportunities. Analysts have noted his strong acceleration, confident one-on-one play, and composed finishing.[23][24]
Career statistics
[edit]| Club | Season | League | DFB-Pokal | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Viktoria Köln | 2023–24 | 3. Liga | 10 | 1 | — | 1[a] | 0 | 11 | 1 | |
| 1. FC Köln | 2024–25 | 2. Bundesliga | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2025–26 | Bundesliga | 9 | 4 | 2 | 0 | — | 11 | 4 | ||
| Total | 9 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 4 | ||
| Viktoria Köln (loan) | 2024–25 | 3. Liga | 32 | 13 | — | 2[a] | 0 | 34 | 13 | |
| Career total | 51 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 56 | 18 | ||
- ^ a b Appearances in Middle Rhine Cup
Honours
[edit]Viktoria Köln
- Middle Rhine Cup: 2025
Individual
- Fritz Walter Medal U19 Silver: 2025[27]
- 3. Liga Newcomer of the Season: 2024–25[28]
- UEFA European Under-19 Championship top scorer: 2025[29]
- UEFA European Under-19 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2025[30]
References
[edit]- ^ "Said El Mala" (in German). 1. FC Köln. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g Peters, Steffen (3 November 2025). "Das ist Köln-Talent Said El Mala: Herkunft, Eltern, Bruder, Gehalt & Freundin" [This is Cologne talent Said El Mala: origin, parents, brother, salary & girlfriend]. Wettfreunde.net (in German). Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ Bödeker, Uwe (19 June 2025). "„Habe ihn überredet": FC-Brüder El Mala erzählen von negativen Erinnerungen an Mönchengladbach" ["I persuaded him": FC Köln brothers El Mala talk about negative memories of Mönchengladbach] (in German). Express.
- ^ Weis, Peter (6 November 2025). "FEATURE | Said El Mala's journey from 'Ruhrpott Reject' to the German national team". OneFootball. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ a b Kemper, Jürgen (26 June 2024). "FC holt Bruder-Duo an Bord: „Bringen sehr gute Voraussetzungen mit"" [FC brings brother duo on board: "They bring very good prerequisites"] (in German). Express. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "El Malas Aufstieg zum Shootingstar" [El Mala's rise to shooting star] (in German). Sport1. 28 October 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Darum bekommt der Oberligist Geld für Kölns Shootingstar Said El Mala" [Why the Oberliga club is getting money for Cologne's shooting star Said El Mala] (in German). RevierSport. 20 October 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Brüder bleiben: Viktoria bindet Malek und Said El Mala langfristig" [Brothers stay: Viktoria secures Malek and Said El Mala long-term contracts] (in German). Kölner Bilder-Bogen. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "2:5 gegen FCS – de Meesters Traumtor kommt zu spät" [2:5 against FCS – de Meester's dream goal comes too late] (in German). FC Viktoria Köln. 21 February 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Viktoria-Newcomer Said El Mala: "Bestätigung harter Arbeit"" [Viktoria newcomer Said El Mala: "Confirmation of hard work"] (in German). German Football Association. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "FC verlängert mit El-Mala-Brüdern vorzeitig" [FC extends contracts with El-Mala brothers early] (in German). 1. FC Köln. 19 July 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ Kemper, Jürgen; Bödeker, Uwe (5 September 2025). "Gratulant wartete vor Kabine: El Mala erlebt emotionales Tor-Märchen" [Well-wisher waited outside the dressing room: El Mala lives an emotional goal fairy tale]. Express (in German). Retrieved 19 October 2025.
- ^ لبناني هدافاً لكأس أوروبا: سعيد الملاّ نجم ألمانيا الصاعد [Lebanese top scorer in the European Championship: Said El Mala, Germany's rising star]. Al Akhbar. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ Frank, Mirko (4 October 2025). "1. FC Köln: Das ist Kölns neuer Wunder-Junge Said El Mala (19)" [1. FC Köln: This is Cologne's new wonder boy Said El Mala (19)] (in German). Bild. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "DFB nominiert El-Mala-Brüder" [DFB nominates El Mala brothers] (in German). FC Viktoria Köln. 13 May 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Deutschland U 18 (m) – Dänemark U 18, 1:1" [Germany U18 (m) – Denmark U18, 1–1] (in German). German Football Association. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Der U 19-Kader für die EM steht" (in German). German Football Association. 20 May 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Under-19 EURO Matchday 3 round-up: Germany reach semi-finals after dramatic turnaround victory". UEFA. 19 June 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Ansah and Pejcinovic on target as Germany U21s win in Albania". German Football Association. 5 September 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ Rehse, Antje (10 October 2025). "FC-Kollege verletzt: El Mala eingewechselt – DFB-U21 verliert" [FC teammate injured: El Mala substituted on – DFB U21 loses]. Express (in German). Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ Kemper, Jürgen (6 November 2025). "Ehre für FC-Star: Nagelsmann sorgt für DFB-Hammer bei El Mala" (in German). Express. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "Gegen Luxemburg und die Slowakei Nagelsmann nominiert Leroy Sané und Said El Mala". sportschau.de (in German). 6 November 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ Kulig, Jacek (25 January 2025). "Said El Mala: Scouting Report by Adam Khan". Football Talent Scout. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ Holland, James (26 October 2025). "Chelsea, Man Utd on converge on 'explosive' new Bundesliga star who scores spectacular goals". TEAMtalk. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ Said El Mala at Soccerway. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
- ^ Said El Mala at DFB (also available in German)
- ^ "Zwölf Talente mit Fritz-Walter-Medaillen ausgezeichnet" [Twelve Talents Awarded Fritz Walter Medals] (in German). German Football Association. 17 October 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
- ^ "Kniat, Corboz, El Mala: Trainer, Spieler und Newcomer der Saison stehen fest" [Kniat, Corboz, El Mala: Coach, Player, and Newcomer of the Season announced]. German Football Association. 12 May 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "2025 Under-19 EURO finals top scorers: Said El Mala, Pablo Garcia, Max Moerstedt, Kees Smit". UEFA. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ^ "2025 Under-19 EURO Team of the Tournament". UEFA. 29 June 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
External links
[edit]- Said El Mala at Global Sports Archive