Younes Ebnoutalib has emerged as a notable newcomer in the German national football team, being one of eleven fresh faces selected by head coach Jürgen Klopp. However, his nomination has stirred discontent in Morocco, the homeland of his father. With Klopp's initial squad selection making headlines, he called upon a total of 44 players for four upcoming Nations League matches set to take place in late September and early October.
Ebnoutalib, a 23-year-old forward from Eintracht Frankfurt, stands out as one of the most surprising inclusions in this roster. His decision to represent Germany rather than Morocco has caused a ripple of dissatisfaction among football fans and officials in his father's native country. The Moroccan Football Federation had actively pursued the young talent, hoping to secure his commitment to their national team, but Klopp's personal visit to Frankfurt proved influential. Klopp remarked, "I watched his first game for Frankfurt and thought, 'Where did they find him?' His playing style, readiness, and cleverness in the final third are exceptional." It quickly became evident to the coach and his staff that Ebnoutalib deserved a spot on the team.
Prior to Ebnoutalib’s decision, Morocco's national coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, had made efforts to win him over, asserting that the player merited a call-up. Despite these attempts, Ebnoutalib opted to represent the DFB. Reports from "Bild" suggest that the Moroccan Federation even sent an official invitation for the Africa Cup qualifiers, despite Ebnoutalib already having declined their offer. Ouahbi expressed disappointment over the situation, making a slight jab by stating, "We are currently ranked sixth in the world and will continue to push forward," while Germany sits at twelfth place. However, with Klopp leading the team, there is a strong belief that this ranking could improve.
Ebnoutalib may have the opportunity to make his debut in the Nations League against the Netherlands on September 24 in Amsterdam or against Greece on September 27 in Augsburg. Should he play, he will be considered permanently capped, thus ruling out any future appearances for Morocco.
Adding to the excitement, a fan video surfaced showing Ebnoutalib confirming his nomination even before the official announcement was made. Klopp responded humorously, saying, "He sent me the video and immediately apologized for letting it slip. What I saw was a young man who is incredibly happy to be part of this."
As reported by t-online.de.
