The young Billy Goat causing a storm

Stats correct as of 6 November 2025

Said El Mala

Age: 19 (born 26 August 2006)
Club: Cologne
Position: Winger/ attacking midfielder
Country: Germany (four U21 caps)

Key stats

There are talents in football that get tagged as such by scouts or statistics, and there are talents whose promise just blazes in front of your eyes - and El Mala is firmly in the latter category.

Darting inside from the left wing and unsteadying opposing defender Kristijan Jakić before blasting an unstoppable drive in against Augsburg on Matchday 7 of 2025/26, the teenager's superb third goal of his debut Bundesliga season underlined what a sheer footballing force he is. 

Watch: Sensational goal from El Mala secures draw against Augsburg

Not that anyone who followed his career was too surprised by him seizing the Bundesliga limelight. El Mala was one of the standout players as Germany reached the semi-finals of the U19 2025 Euros. The 6'2" teenager produced four goals (a joint-leading tally at the finals) and as many assists, with a total of seven goals in 15 U19 caps before making the first of four under-21 appearances in September 2025.

Although signed by Cologne in summer 2024, El Mala spent the ensuing campaign on loan at city rivals Viktoria Köln in Germany's third tier. The Borussia Mönchengladbach youth product's performances were so impressive - 13 goals and five assists - that he was named the 3. Liga's 2024/25 Newcomer of the Season. He and older brother Malek, 20, were duly rewarded with new contracts by their parent club until 2030. 

Increasing his goals tally to four from his first nine Bundesliga appearances with a strike in a 4-1 win against Hamburg and earning his first Germany call-up in November 2025 simply continued the upwards trajectory of a young player destined for big things. 

Plays a bit like: Kingsley Coman

There's a touch of Bayern Munich's Coman about El Mala. The German of Lebanese descent thrives in open spaces, particularly when driving in off the left-hand side onto his favoured right foot, as he did in such spectacular style against Augsburg. He's also got technical flair and instinctive finishing in his locker.

Did you know?

The football world came close to not seeing El Mala's extraordinary talents at all. Said's brother Malek had to convince a 14-year-old Said to keep playing at his local club after the brothers faced the disappointment of being released by Gladbach in 2021. "It wasn't easy to process. Everything turning around, just like that. As a 14-year-old, you ask yourself: What did I do wrong?" Said later told Radio Köln.

What they're saying

"I'm really happy to be called up. It's a great reward for all the hard work. I'm proud to get to represent Cologne in the Germany shirt." - El Mala on receiving his first Germany call-up in November 2025

"Said developed into one of the best players in the 3. Liga last season and had an impressive U19 Euros to underline his remarkable development. We back Said to make the leap straight into our Bundesliga team and will support him in the best possible way on that journey." - Cologne sporting director Thomas Kessler on the El Mala brothers signing new contracts

"Someday, he will be sold for an incredible fee. That’s okay. But I have the feeling that right now he carries Cologne close to his heart, is enjoying his time here - and so are we." - Cologne coach Lukas Kwasniok on his incredible start to the 2025/26 season