It only took a few weeks for Ibrahim Maza to become one of the most exciting names in Algerian football. This Saturday against Heidenheim, the Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder scored a masterful double during his team’s offensive festival (6-0), confirming the spectacular rise in power he has experienced since October. At only 19 years old, the Berlin native continues to impress and has now established himself as an essential element in Kasper Hjulmand’s system.
Ibrahim Maza, the nugget that lights up the Bundesliga
The performance against Heidenheim was just the culmination of a dazzling series. A few days earlier, Maza had been voted man of the match in Leverkusen’s victory against Benfica Lisbon in the Champions League, his first start in the premier competition. A performance so convincing that it earned him a place in the UEFA Team of the Week, alongside world stars like Phil Foden and Manuel Neuer. Before that, he had already scored his first goal in the German Cup against Paderborn, giving his team qualification in extra time. In the space of a month, the young Algerian went from the status of a promise to that of a European revelation.
This explosion is not a coincidence. Arriving this summer from Hertha Berlin for around 12 million euros, Maza was able to gradually gain the trust of his coach despite fierce competition. His exceptional technical qualities, his playing intelligence and his ability to break the lines make him a rare player. Even his first benchmark match against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga had already turned heads. Today, with four starts and several decisive goals, he proves that the 2024 German champion has achieved quite a success on the transfer market. Some supporters already see in him a future pillar capable of making people forget the departure of stars like Florian Wirtz.
A providential reinforcement for the Fennecs
For the Algerian team, this rise in power constitutes an unexpected boon a few weeks before CAN 2025 in Morocco. Vladimir Petkovic, who summoned him for the first time last October, can only be delighted to see his colt shine in the European spotlight. Maza’s performances at club level significantly boost his chances of securing a major role at the continental tournament. On Algerian social networks, jokes are already flying: “Aouar, do you feel the breath on your back? » The competition for a starting place in the attacking midfielder promises to be fierce between the Al-Ittihad player and the new sensation from Leverkusen.
Beyond the healthy rivalry it generates, the emergence of Maza represents a strong signal for the Fennecs. At 19, he embodies this new generation of Algerian talents capable of establishing themselves in the biggest European championships. His early maturity, his versatility and his steely mentality make him a valuable asset for a selection that dreams of continental success. If Ibrahim Maza continues this exceptional momentum, he could well become one of Algeria’s key men in Morocco. The future looks bright for this German-Algerian prodigy who, match after match, is already writing the first pages of a career promised to an exceptional destiny.
