Said El Mala
German footballer (born 2006)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Said El Mala (born 26 August 2006) is a German professional footballer who plays as winger for Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 26 August 2006 | ||
| Place of birth | Krefeld, Germany | ||
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[1] | ||
| Position | Winger | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | 1. FC Köln | ||
| Number | 13 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2012–2016 | Linner SV | ||
| 2016–2017 | KFC Uerdingen 05 | ||
| 2017–2021 | Borussia Mönchengladbach | ||
| 2021–2023 | TSV Meerbusch | ||
| 2023–2024 | Viktoria Köln | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2024 | Viktoria Köln | 10 | (1) |
| 2024– | 1. FC Köln | 27 | (10) |
| 2024–2025 | → Viktoria Köln (loan) | 32 | (13) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2024 | Germany U18 | 1 | (0) |
| 2024–2025 | Germany U19 | 15 | (7) |
| 2025– | Germany U21 | 5 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 20:48, 21 March 2026 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 18:50, 19 November 2025 (UTC) | |||
Early life
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 older brother, Malek, is also a professional footballer.[5]
Club career
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] On 21 March 2026, El Mala scored his tenth goal of the season in a 3–3 draw against Gladbach, becoming only the fourth teenager in Köln history along Lukas Podolski, Pierre Littbarski, and Dieter Müller to reach this mark. Additionally, this record made him the sixth-youngest player in Bundesliga history to do so.[13]
International career
Born in Germany, El Mala is of Lebanese descent through his father.[14][15] He received his first call-up to the Germany national under-18 team in May 2024,[16] making his debut in a friendly against Denmark on 22 May 2024, replacing Bennit Bröger in the 60th minute.[17]
In May 2025, he was called up to the Germany under-19 squad for the 2025 UEFA European Under-19 Championship,[18] scoring a late winner against Norway to help Germany reach the semi-finals.[19] On 5 September 2025, El Mala made his debut for the under-21 side,[20] and went on to appear in the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification.[21]
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.[22][23]
Style of play
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. He is primarily known for his long range, as well as solo goals.[24][25]
Career statistics
| 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 | 26 | 9 | 2 | 0 | — | 28 | 9 | ||
| Total | 26 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 9 | ||
| Viktoria Köln (loan) | 2024–25 | 3. Liga | 32 | 13 | — | 2[a] | 0 | 34 | 13 | |
| Career total | 68 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 73 | 23 | ||
- Appearances in Middle Rhine Cup
Honours
Viktoria Köln
- Middle Rhine Cup: 2025
Individual
- Fritz Walter Medal U19 Silver: 2025[28]
- 3. Liga Newcomer of the Season: 2024–25[29]
- UEFA European Under-19 Championship top scorer: 2025[30]
- UEFA European Under-19 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2025[31]