Said El Mala
Birth date26 August 2006 (age 20)
Birth placeKrefeld, Germany
Height1.87 m[1]
Currentclub1. FC Köln
Clubnumber13
PositionWinger
Youthyears 12012–2016
Youthclubs 1Linner SV
Youthyears 22016–2017
Youthclubs 2KFC Uerdingen 05
Youthyears 32017–2021
Youthclubs 3Borussia Mönchengladbach
Youthyears 42021–2023
Youthclubs 4TSV Meerbusch
Youthyears 52023–2024
Youthclubs 5Viktoria Köln
Years 12024
Clubs 1Viktoria Köln
Caps 110
Goals 11
Years 22024–
Clubs 21. FC Köln
Caps 234
Goals 213
Years 32024–2025
Clubs 3→ Viktoria Köln (loan)
Caps 332
Goals 313
Nationalyears 12024
Nationalteam 1Germany U18
Nationalcaps 11
Nationalgoals 10
Nationalyears 22024–2025
Nationalteam 2Germany U19
Nationalcaps 215
Nationalgoals 27
Nationalyears 32025–
Nationalteam 3Germany U21
Nationalcaps 37
Nationalgoals 31
Club-update16:26, 16 May 2026 (UTC)
Nationalteam-update00:10, 1 April 2026 (UTC)

Said El Mala (zaˈiːt ɛlˈmaːla; born 26 August 2006) is a German professional footballer who plays as winger for club 1. FC Köln.

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

Youth

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]

Viktoria Köln

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]

1. FC Köln

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 ten goals for Köln in the league, being the second youngest out of the four.[13] Additionally, this record made him the sixth-youngest player in Bundesliga history to do so.[14] On 12 April, El Mala scored his first penalty in a 3–1 win over Werder Bremen, marking his 11th goal.[15] He scored his last goal of the season on the last matchday in a 5–1 loss to Bayern, a solo run of over 60 metres, dribbling past Bayern's defense and scoring against Manuel Neuer.[16] He ended the 2025–26 season with 13 goals and five assists, not missing a single game.[17]

International career

Born in Germany, El Mala is of Lebanese descent through his father.[18][19]

Youth

El Mala received his first call-up to the Germany national under-18 team in May 2024,[20] making his debut in a friendly against Denmark on 22 May 2024.[21] In May 2025, he was called up to the Germany under-19 squad for the 2025 UEFA European Under-19 Championship,[22] scoring a late winner against Norway to help Germany reach the semi-finals.[23]

On 5 September 2025, El Mala made his debut for the under-21 side,[24] and went on to appear in the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification.[25] On 31 March 2026, he scored his maiden goal for the under-21 side in a 2–0 away win against Greece in the qualifiers, dedicating his goal to his late grandmother who had passed away a few days prior.[26]

Senior

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, though he remained unused against the former and was thus sent back to the under-21.[27][28] Despite registering 13 goals and 5 assists in his debut season, Nagelsmann would not call him up for Germany's World Cup squad.[29]

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.[30][31]

Career statistics

[32][33]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueDFB-PokalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Viktoria Köln2023–243. Liga101—1[a]0111
1. FC Köln2024–252. Bundesliga———00
2025–26Bundesliga341320—3613
Total341320003613
Viktoria Köln (loan)2024–253. Liga3213—2[a]03413
Career total762720308127
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in Middle Rhine Cup

Honours

Viktoria Köln

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Said El Mala" (in German). 1. FC Köln. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  2. ^ Peters, Steffen (3 November 2025). "Das ist Köln-Talent Said El Mala: Herkunft, Eltern, Bruder, Gehalt & Freundin" [This is Cologne talent Said El Mala: origin, parents, brother, salary & girlfriend] (in German). Wettfreunde.net. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  3. ^ Bödeker, Uwe (19 June 2025). "„Habe ihn überredet“: FC-Brüder El Mala erzählen von negativen Erinnerungen an Mönchengladbach" ["I persuaded him": FC Köln brothers El Mala talk about negative memories of Mönchengladbach] (in German). Express
  4. ^ Weis, Peter (6 November 2025). "FEATURE | Said El Mala’s journey from 'Ruhrpott Reject' to the German national team". OneFootball. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  5. ^ Kemper, Jürgen (26 June 2024). "FC holt Bruder-Duo an Bord: „Bringen sehr gute Voraussetzungen mit“" [FC brings brother duo on board: "They bring very good prerequisites"] (in German). Express. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  6. ^ "El Malas Aufstieg zum Shootingstar" [El Mala's rise to shooting star] (in German). Sport1. 28 October 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  7. ^ "Darum bekommt der Oberligist Geld für Kölns Shootingstar Said El Mala" [Why the Oberliga club is getting money for Cologne's shooting star Said El Mala] (in German). RevierSport. 20 October 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  8. ^ "Brüder bleiben: Viktoria bindet Malek und Said El Mala langfristig" [Brothers stay: Viktoria secures Malek and Said El Mala long-term contracts] (in German). Kölner Bilder-Bogen. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  9. ^ "2:5 gegen FCS – de Meesters Traumtor kommt zu spät" [2:5 against FCS – de Meester's dream goal comes too late] (in German). FC Viktoria Köln. 21 February 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  10. ^ "Viktoria-Newcomer Said El Mala: "Bestätigung harter Arbeit"" [Viktoria newcomer Said El Mala: "Confirmation of hard work"] (in German). German Football Association. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  11. ^ "FC verlängert mit El-Mala-Brüdern vorzeitig" [FC extends contracts with El-Mala brothers early] (in German). 1. FC Köln. 19 July 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  12. ^ Kemper, Jürgen & Bödeker, Uwe (5 September 2025). "Gratulant wartete vor Kabine: El Mala erlebt emotionales Tor-Märchen" [Well-wisher waited outside the dressing room: El Mala lives an emotional goal fairy tale] (in German). Express. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
  13. ^ Gauer, Sonja (3 April 2026). "Schon gegen Frankfurt? El Mala jagt Podolski". Geissblog. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  14. ^ "Martel trifft und fliegt: Köln rettet Punkt gegen Gladbach" (in de-DE). kicker. Retrieved 2026-03-26.
  15. ^ sportschau.de. "1. FC Köln gewinnt den Abstiegs-Krimi gegen Werder Bremen" (in German). sportschau.de. Retrieved 2026-04-12.
  16. ^ "Bayern 5-1 Cologne (May 16, 2026) Final Score". www.espn.com.sg. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
  17. ^ "Said El Mala | 1. FC Köln | Bundesliga | 2025/26 | Spielerprofil" (in de-DE). kicker. Retrieved 2026-06-01.
  18. ^ "ar:لبناني هدافاً لكأس أوروبا: سعيد الملاّ نجم ألمانيا الصاعد" [Lebanese top scorer in the European Championship: Said El Mala, Germany's rising star]. Al Akhbar. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  19. ^ Frank, Mirko (4 October 2025). "1. FC Köln: Das ist Kölns neuer Wunder-Junge Said El Mala (19)" [1. FC Köln: This is Cologne's new wonder boy Said El Mala (19)] (in German). Bild. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  20. ^ "DFB nominiert El-Mala-Brüder" [DFB nominates El Mala brothers] (in German). FC Viktoria Köln. 13 May 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  21. ^ "Deutschland U 18 (m) – Dänemark U 18, 1:1" [Germany U18 (m) – Denmark U18, 1–1] (in German). German Football Association. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  22. ^ "Der U 19-Kader für die EM steht" (in German). German Football Association. 20 May 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  23. ^ "Under-19 EURO Matchday 3 round-up: Germany reach semi-finals after dramatic turnaround victory". UEFA. 19 June 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  24. ^ "Ansah and Pejcinovic on target as Germany U21s win in Albania". German Football Association. 5 September 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  25. ^ Rehse, Antje (10 October 2025). "FC-Kollege verletzt: El Mala eingewechselt – DFB-U21 verliert" [FC teammate injured: El Mala substituted on – DFB U21 loses] (in German). Express. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  26. ^ "Said El Mala bei U-21-Quali-Spiel: Torjubel für verstorbene Oma" (in German). FAZ.NET. 2026-04-01. Retrieved 2026-04-03.
  27. ^ Kemper, Jürgen (6 November 2025). "Ehre für FC-Star: Nagelsmann sorgt für DFB-Hammer bei El Mala" (in German). Express. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  28. ^ "Gegen Luxemburg und die Slowakei Nagelsmann nominiert Leroy Sané und Said El Mala" (in German). sportschau.de. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  29. ^ "WM-Schocknachricht für Köln-Youngster – DFB-Coach Julian Nagelsmann setzt lieber auf BVB-Star" (in German). www.fr.de. 2026-05-21. Retrieved 2026-05-22.
  30. ^ Kulig, Jacek (25 January 2025). "Said El Mala: Scouting Report by Adam Khan". Football Talent Scout. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  31. ^ Holland, James (26 October 2025). "Chelsea, Man Utd on converge on 'explosive' new Bundesliga star who scores spectacular goals". TEAMtalk. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  32. ^
  33. ^
  34. ^ "Zwölf Talente mit Fritz-Walter-Medaillen ausgezeichnet" [Twelve Talents Awarded Fritz Walter Medals] (in German). German Football Association. 17 October 2025. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  35. ^ "Kniat, Corboz, El Mala: Trainer, Spieler und Newcomer der Saison stehen fest" [Kniat, Corboz, El Mala: Coach, Player, and Newcomer of the Season announced]. German Football Association. 12 May 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
  36. ^ "2025 Under-19 EURO finals top scorers: Said El Mala, Pablo Garcia, Max Moerstedt, Kees Smit". UEFA. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  37. ^ "2025 Under-19 EURO Team of the Tournament". UEFA. 29 June 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2025.