Hertha talent about the future
©IMAGO
Hertha talent Ibrahim Maza chose a future in the Algerian national team and against Germany for a specific reason. “I wanted to be able to play for a senior national team as early as possible and play as many games as possible as a professional in the national team,” said the 19-year-old offensive player in an interview with the “Bild” newspaper.
Maza played for the DFB eight times in the U18, three times in the U19 and twice in the U20. He made his debut in a senior national team as an 18-year-old for the Desert Foxes on October 10, 2024 with a short appearance in the Africa Cup qualifiers in Annaba against Togo (5:1).
It was completely crazy, he remembered. “When we arrived at the stadium two hours before the game, everything was already full of fans. It was so loud. That was the first time I had goosebumps.”
However, Maza, who moved from Füchse Berlin to Hertha BSC’s youth team in the summer of 2016, did not find it easy to decide against a possible future in the DFB. “My U19 coach Christian Wörns told me not to change too early. When I left, it hurt me a lot because I grew very fond of him,” Maza explained.
It is a decision for life. “I sat down with my family and we looked at what would be best for me. Then we decided,” Maza looked back.
Maza wants to move up with Hertha BSC
He returns with Hertha from the training camp in southern Spain on Saturday. The 2nd Bundesliga season continues for the capital club next week on Sunday at SC Paderborn with the first competitive game of the new year – with Maza. Sports director Benjamin Weber recently ruled out a winter change for the talent, who is courted by numerous top clubs.
“I want to get promoted with Hertha. That is a clear goal of mine. And I will do everything to ensure that we rise together. “Then we’ll see what happens next,” emphasized Maza, to whom the old lady means a lot. “Berlin is my hometown, Hertha BSC is my hometown club that I grew up with. They developed me, gave me playing time and turned me into a professional. Now the club will hopefully benefit from my performance, goals and assists.”
In the summer, the well-known interested parties could get serious. According to “Bild”, Maza should have an exit clause of 9.5 million euros plus bonuses, but according to “Sky” there is no corresponding option. “To be honest, I haven’t thought about it,” Maza replies when asked what would be the case for staying at Hertha. “The climb would be really nice. Otherwise I don’t think about it. It’s still close in the league, the gap to the top isn’t huge. We can still get promoted and I’ll try to stick with Hertha for now.”
Of course, Maza is aware of the numerous rumors surrounding him. “I read that sometimes and ask my advisor from time to time if it’s true. There are big calibers there. I’m happy when such teams like me and are interested in me. But first I want to play as well as possible and develop. Everything comes in its time,” said the youngster. When asked about the feedback on interest from Manchester City and Atlético Madrid, he replied with a laugh: “I don’t remember exactly, that was a while ago. That’s all nice to know, but my focus is on further development for now.”
