Said El Mala: The next football star in the Rhenish derby!

Said El Mala: The next football star in the Rhenish derby!

Something is happening on the football field in Cologne! Said El Mala, the 19-year-old winger for 1. FC Köln, is being hailed as an up-and-coming talent and is drawing comparisons to former Cologne football star Lukas Podolski. How Feverpitch reports, El Mala inspires not only with his style of play, but also with his tireless passion and courage to take risks. This young kicker definitely has the potential to become one of the big players at FC Köln.

The path from El Mala was not always easy. Born on August 26, 2006 in Krefeld, his football career began at Linner SV before moving to Borussia Mönchengladbach's youth academy. However, he was rejected there when he was just 14 years old because he was considered physically too raw. After an interlude at TSV Meerbusch and a strong year at Viktoria Köln, in which he scored an impressive 13 goals in the 2024–25 season, he finally signed a contract with 1. FC Köln on June 26, 2024, but due to a transfer ban remained active until he was signed on loan at Viktoria.

His influence on the team

FC Köln are currently on the verge of a highly anticipated derby against Gladbach, and El Mala could play a crucial role. Even though he was recently injured and had to stop training, coach Lukas Kwasniok remains cautiously optimistic. He doesn't want to overwhelm El Mala, but seems to believe the young player has what it takes to force his way into the spotlight. Aside from his eye-catching performance on the pitch, El Mala was also nominated for the next international matches by national coach Julian Nagelsmann, underlining his growing status.

He has already scored his first goal in the Bundesliga. In the game against SC Freiburg, El Mala celebrated a triumphant start that thrilled the spectators. Fans and experts agree: These new talents bring a breath of fresh air to the team, and with players like Ragnar Ache at their side, the Rhinelanders can hope for an exciting future.

The derby and the challenges

The upcoming Rhenish derby is not just a football game; it is a historic highlight in the Bundesliga. Gladbach has stabilized after a difficult phase and will be a tough nut to crack for Cologne. Ruwen Schröder, facing relegation-related challenges, knows he has to rely on his talents like El Mala to stay in the league.

El Mala is viewed as a potential great player for FC Köln, which is widely recognized not only by his team but also by fans and media. He brings the explosive skills that are much needed to make a difference in close games. And the fact that he is successful in standard situations is seen as crucial to the success of the Cologne club.

With his speed and direct playing style, Said El Mala is not only a player to keep an eye on, but also someone who could win the hearts of Cologne fans. Young talents like him are the backbone of every successful team, and FC Köln could have made a good move with him on the pitch.