The Rise of Said El Mala: From Youth Setbacks to International Recognition

Said El Mala was born and raised in Krefeld, a city in western Germany. He and his elder brother Malek, who is also associated with FC Köln, inherited their passion for football from their Lebanese father, Mohammed, a former centre-back for the local team Linner SV. El Mala initially followed in his father’s footsteps by playing as a defender before transitioning to an attacking role when he joined Malek at Borussia Monchengladbach in 2017. Unfortunately, his time there was cut short when he was released three years later.

El Mala’s former coach at the Gladbach Under-15s, Sven Schuchardt, noted that at the time, “Said was still very small and athletically inferior to his opponents, which affected his competitiveness at that level.” Despite this setback, El Mala was heartbroken by his release, admitting in an interview with Radio Köln, “It wasn’t easy to process. As a 14-year-old, you question what you did wrong.”

Contemplating leaving the sport altogether, he was ultimately encouraged to persevere by Malek. The brothers reunited at TSV Meerbusch and then at Viktoria Köln, where they both excelled in the Under-19 team. El Mala’s standout performances at the youth level culminated in his senior debut in a third-tier match against FC Saarbrücken on February 21, 2024—just two days after signing his first professional contract with Viktoria. Four months later, he moved to FC Köln, which had to loan him back to Viktoria for the 2024-25 season due to registration restrictions.

This loan period proved pivotal for El Mala’s development, as he gained invaluable match experience, scoring 13 goals in 32 appearances and earning the 3. Liga’s Newcomer of the Season award. His impressive form continued with the Germany U19s, contributing four goals and three assists in their successful European Championship campaign, leading to a semi-final appearance.

Arriving at FC Köln with newfound confidence, El Mala quickly established himself as one of Germany’s most promising talents. However, coach Lukas Kwasniok has opted to manage his playing time carefully, primarily using him as an impact substitute during the 2025-26 season. Despite limited starts, El Mala has made a significant impact, recording four goals and two assists in just three starts.

German national team coach Julian Nagelsmann recognized El Mala’s potential, including him in the squad for crucial World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Slovakia. “Said should get the chance to show his carefree and easy-going style of play,” Nagelsmann stated, emphasizing the importance of integrating young talents into the senior team.

El Mala, initially surprised by his rapid ascent to the national team, recalled how he hesitated to answer Nagelsmann’s call. “I don’t like answering unknown numbers,” he admitted to Sky Germany, but upon verifying the call, he realized the significance of the moment. “I’m incredibly excited for the game against Luxembourg on Friday.”

In the German football community, El Mala is seen as a throwback to the old-school street footballers, characterized by his direct dribbling and exceptional close control, making him a constant threat for defenders. Additionally, his striking ability has been evident throughout the season as he frequently cuts in from the left flank to unleash powerful shots with his preferred right foot.

Having experienced a growth spurt during his time at Meerbusch, El Mala now stands at 6’2″, alleviating the physical concerns that previously hindered his game. However, he still needs to improve defensively, as seen in a recent match where Kwasniok substituted him at halftime due to subpar off-the-ball performance.

Koln’s sporting director, Thomas Kessler, pointed out that such challenges are common for a player of El Mala’s inexperience, stressing the importance of his ongoing development. As a left winger with a knack for scoring, El Mala has been compared to former Köln star Lukas Podolski. Podolski noted that El Mala reminds him of his younger self, praising his aggressive style of play and stating, “He just goes for it, and he gets things done.”

While El Mala’s international debut remains uncertain due to Germany’s competitive World Cup qualification, his prospects for the upcoming summer tournament remain bright, as Nagelsmann sees him as a player with the potential to become a “top player.” This sentiment is echoed by clubs such as Brighton, which made a notable €20 million offer for him, subsequently rejected by Köln, who believe his value will only increase.

Kwasniok, while mindful of managing expectations, acknowledges El Mala’s burgeoning reputation and predicts a future transfer for a substantial fee. “We are proud that the club signed him at the right moment,” he stated, recognizing the excitement surrounding El Mala’s presence in the team. “I have the feeling that he currently holds FC Köln very dear to his heart.”

As El Mala continues to impress with his performances, it is clear that his journey is just beginning, and he is a player to watch as he advances in both club and international football.