Younes Ebnoutalib's Journey to the German National Team
Eintracht Frankfurt's striker, Younes Ebnoutalib, has made headlines by being included in the German national team for the first time, a moment that could have unfolded quite differently had he chosen to represent another country. The 23-year-old player shared an emotional account of receiving the call from national coach Jürgen Klopp, informing him of his nomination, which left him in tears. During a media session at the DFB camp in Herzogenaurach, Ebnoutalib recounted this pivotal moment, revealing that he was caught off guard while on a day off from training, enjoying some time at the sports field when he noticed Klopp's number on his phone. Initially, he thought the coach might simply be checking in on him, but instead, he received the life-changing news of his selection for the national squad.
Reflecting on the call, Ebnoutalib expressed, "After the phone call, tears came to my eyes. I thought about where I was just a few years ago and how incredible it is that all my hard work has finally paid off." Just two years prior, he was playing in the Regionalliga for FC Gießen, and he had never been nominated for any German U-national team.
Choosing Germany Over Morocco
Ebnoutalib's inclusion in the DFB squad is noteworthy, especially considering his background. As the son of a former Moroccan Taekwondo professional who gained German citizenship in 1997, he had the option to represent Morocco as well. His father won a silver medal for Germany at the 2000 Olympics. The Moroccan national coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, had reached out to Ebnoutalib, but he clarified that the contact wasn't extensive. "I spoke with him, but it wasn't very intense," Ebnoutalib stated, emphasizing that his decision to play for Germany was not a rejection of Morocco. "I love both countries; they are both my homelands. I will continue to support Morocco as well."
Jürgen Klopp played a pivotal role in Ebnoutalib's decision to represent Germany. Earlier in September, the national coach visited Eintracht Frankfurt's training, where they first discussed the possibility of his selection. Ebnoutalib praised Klopp, saying, "He is one of the best coaches in the world. He gives us positive energy," and added, "When Klopp calls, you have to answer."
For Ebnoutalib's commitment to Germany to be finalized, he would need to play in one of the two upcoming Nations League matches—against the Netherlands on Thursday or against Greece on Sunday. Should he participate in an official match for the DFB, he would not be eligible to represent any other nation thereafter. Currently, only Kai Havertz is listed as another striker in the squad, and Ebnoutalib has not received any concrete assurances about his participation. "I don’t know anything yet," he admitted during the media session. "I’m just trying to give my best and hope to get a lot of playing time."
With four goals in the first four matches of the Bundesliga season, Ebnoutalib has made a phenomenal start to his campaign. He netted a hat-trick during the opening match against Union Berlin, which ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw. Now, he aims to carry this momentum into the German national team as he embarks on this exciting new chapter of his career.
As reported by t-online.de.
