Said El Mala's Rapid Rise to Germany's National Team

Said El Mala’s rise has been rapid. Now it’s about to go national.

According to BILD, the 20-year-old FC Cologne forward has been informed he will be part of Jurgen Klopp’s first expanded Germany squad for the upcoming international window, as the DFB ushers in a new era under the former Liverpool boss. The formal paperwork had yet to land in Cologne’s offices by Tuesday afternoon, but the message to the player was clear: pack your bags.

If he makes the final cut and steps onto the pitch, El Mala will become the first Cologne player to feature for Germany since Jonas Hector in 2019. For a club that has watched its national-team presence dry up in recent years, that matters.

Klopp breaks with Nagelsmann’s caution

Klopp’s move is a statement. The new Bundestrainer is leaning on an expanded squad for a packed autumn schedule and is clearly ready to trust form and momentum over reputation.

It’s also a sharp break from Julian Nagelsmann’s handling of the same player. Nagelsmann gave El Mala his first senior call-up 10 months ago, only to leave him out of the matchday squads against Luxembourg and Slovakia. When the final 2026 World Cup roster dropped, El Mala’s name was missing altogether. In Cologne, that decision stung.

Now the door has swung open again. Under Klopp, the forward finally has a realistic route to his long-awaited debut as Germany prepare for a demanding UEFA Nations League run with fixtures against the Netherlands, Greece, and Serbia. High-pressure games. High reward if he takes his chance.

From 3. Liga to the national team frame

El Mala’s story reads like a modern football fairy tale. Just 16 months ago he was playing for Viktoria Köln in the 3. Liga. No fanfare, no national headlines. Then came the jump.

At FC Cologne he exploded, dragging the club to Bundesliga survival last season with 13 goals. Those numbers did not go unnoticed. Brighton, Brentford, and Borussia Dortmund all circled in the summer, sensing an opportunity.

He stayed.

El Mala extended his contract until 2031, took on the iconic number 10 shirt once worn by Lukas Podolski, and promptly scored on the opening day against Hoffenheim. The message was unmistakable: this is his team now.

That domestic form has clearly resonated with Klopp and his staff. In a squad undergoing a reset ahead of the World Cup cycle, El Mala looks like the prototype of the kind of fearless, vertical attacker the new coach wants.

One more test before the big stage

Before he can think about the Nations League and the possibility of a first cap, there is business to handle in Cologne colours.

After shaking off a recent cold, El Mala came off the bench in the 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen. He is expected to return to the starting XI for Saturday’s away trip to Hamburg, a stage that suddenly carries extra weight. Every touch, every run, every finish now doubles as a final audition for the national team.

If his trajectory over the last 16 months is any indication, Klopp may soon have another weapon in Germany’s attack – and Cologne may finally see their number 10 back on the international stage.