Rising Star from 1. FC Koln: The Remarkable Journey of Said El Mala

From Rejection to Recognition

At just 19 years old, Said El Mala, who earned the title of ‘Newcomer of the Year’ in the German 3rd division last year, has emerged as a significant talent in the Bundesliga this season, capturing the attention of major European clubs such as Manchester United and Brighton. However, any team aiming to sign him may also need to consider his sibling, Malek, in the deal.

Overcoming Adversity

Initially, the young talent faced a challenging career path when he was deemed unnecessary and released from the Borussia Monchengladbach academy at the age of 14. This pivotal moment nearly placed him among the numerous players who never realize their potential despite their aspirations.

Reflecting on this experience during a chat with Radio Koln, El Mala shared, “It was tough to come to terms with. Everything changed so quickly, and I found myself out of a team. As a young teenager, you wonder what you did wrong.”

Disheartened by this setback, El Mala even considered stepping away from football, but it was his brother Malek, who was also training at the academy, who encouraged him to persevere, leading both to join TSV Meerbusch in the Oberliga.

The bond shared between the brothers is evident, as they have been inseparable since the inception of their football careers. Since 2017, they have played together across four clubs and are now key figures in the starting lineup for 1. FC Koln.

As reported in German media, Said has made it clear that he will not sign with any new club unless it involves his brother, highlighting their strong partnership on and off the field.

A Surge in Performance

This season, Said’s breakthrough in the Bundesliga has been nothing short of extraordinary. He is currently a leading scorer for his team, already netting six goals in 15 appearances.

His unexpected rise to prominence has drawn the attention of influential figures, including Bayern Munich’s coach Vincent Kompany, who recognized his potential ahead of a DFB Cup second-round match.

Emerging Talent on the International Stage

Kompany remarked, “This young player possesses a remarkable acceleration followed by a second burst of speed, making it challenging for defenders to keep up, and he has the ability to shoot effectively while sprinting.”

Germany’s national team coach Julian Nagelsmann has also taken notice, rewarding El Mala with an opportunity to compete in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers this fall. Additionally, he was named in the team of the tournament for his outstanding contributions to Germany’s UEFA U19 European Championship campaign, where he scored four goals.

Against the Odds

Incredibly, just seven months ago, El Mala was playing in the third division with Viktoria Koln. The talented player endured a rough journey, facing 13 rejections from various clubs before finally getting a chance at Viktoria in 2023.

Since his move to Viktoria, he has made the most of his opportunity. His impressive performances earned him a contract with 1. FC Koln after securing the 3. Liga Newcomer of the Season award with 13 goals and five assists last season.

Said exhibits a unique style on the pitch, skillfully maneuvering past defenders by slowing down before suddenly accelerating, making him an asset as both a winger and a striker.

With his exceptional abilities, he is already being considered for a spot on the German World Cup squad for next year. Although initially hesitant to answer Nagelsmann’s call, he eventually realized the significance of the message after sharing it with his brother.

“I usually don’t pick up calls from unknown numbers,” he stated. “Then I got a text saying: ‘Hi, Julian Nagelsmann here, please call me back.’ I showed it to my brother, and we both knew: I must have been called up.”

Given his remarkable performances this season, it’s not surprising that elite clubs around Europe are showing interest in him.

Acknowledging the Future

1. FC Koln recognizes the reality of the situation, understanding that retaining Said amid growing interest from top clubs will be challenging. Head coach Lukas Kwasniok commented, “We can’t delude ourselves; he likely won’t be here for the next 15 years. Our objective is to nurture his talent and eventually sell him for a significant sum.”

Currently, Koln is positioned 11th in the Bundesliga, preparing for their upcoming match against Heidenheim on January 10th.