Said El Mala Set for Historic Call-Up to Klopp’s Germany
Said El Mala is about to step into Jurgen Klopp’s Germany – and into history for FC Cologne.
According to BILD, the 20-year-old forward has been named in Klopp’s enlarged squad for the upcoming international window, putting him on course to become the first Cologne player to feature for the national team since Jonas Hector in 2019. The formal call-up letter had still not landed at the club offices by Tuesday afternoon, but El Mala has already been told he is in.
For Klopp, it is an early statement. A new era, a bold pick.
Klopp breaks with Nagelsmann’s caution
The move underlines a sharp change of direction from predecessor Julian Nagelsmann as Germany build towards the 2026 World Cup. Nagelsmann did bring El Mala into the senior setup 10 months ago, but never took the final step. The youngster watched from the stands against Luxembourg and Slovakia, then disappeared from the final World Cup squad entirely – a snub that went down badly in Cologne.
Under Klopp, the door is no longer just ajar. It is wide open.
Germany face a demanding UEFA Nations League schedule, with tests against the Netherlands, Greece, and Serbia looming. An expanded squad list gives Klopp room to experiment, and El Mala has forced his way into that conversation with the kind of form that is impossible to ignore.
From 3. Liga to the national team
Sixteen months ago, El Mala was still playing for Viktoria Köln in the 3. Liga. Now he stands on the brink of a full Germany debut.
His rise has been nothing short of explosive. Since moving across the city to FC Cologne, he has become the club’s attacking heartbeat, dragging them to Bundesliga survival last season with 13 goals. Those performances lit up scouting reports across Europe. Brighton, Brentford, and Borussia Dortmund all circled in the summer.
El Mala chose differently. He stayed.
Cologne tied him down until 2031 and handed him the number 10 shirt once worn by Lukas Podolski – a symbolic passing of the torch in a city that lives off its football idols. El Mala responded the way the best forwards do: he scored on the opening day against Hoffenheim.
That domestic form has clearly resonated with Klopp and his staff. This is not a romantic pick. It is a reward.
One more step with Cologne before Germany calls
Before he joins up with the national team, there is work to do at club level. After shaking off a recent cold, El Mala came off the bench in the 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen and is expected to return to the starting XI for Cologne’s trip to Hamburg on Saturday.
Another strong performance there, and he will report for Germany not just as a prospect, but as one of the Bundesliga’s most in-form young forwards.
From Viktoria Köln to the DFB in little more than a year. From number 10 at Cologne to a potential new face of Klopp’s Germany. The only thing missing now is that first cap.
