Jürgen Klopp lauds El Mala brothers’ special Bundesliga moment in phone call with Said

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Germany national team head coach Jürgen Klopp has revealed his delight at the recent Bundesliga debut of 1. FC Cologne striker Malek El Mala. The Bundestrainer personally congratulated the player’s younger brother, Said, on the memorable occasion during a telephone conversation confirming the latter’s continued involvement with the senior national team.

Said El Mala is among the five recent international debutants retained in Klopp’s 24-man November squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures against Serbia and the Netherlands. The 20-year-old has now revealed that his second telephone conversation with Klopp was considerably more relaxed than their first.

Speaking to Sky Germany, El Mala explained that the discussion quickly turned to his brother’s recent Bundesliga exploits.

“He calls you, tells you that you’re in the squad again, and then there are usually one or two other stories,” El Mala explained. “This time, he mentioned how happy he was that my brother came on and scored a goal, and how much he enjoyed seeing us celebrate together.”

El Mala brothers celebrate special Bundesliga moment

Malek El Mala made his long-awaited Bundesliga debut during Köln’s 1-1 draw away against Union Berlin last Sunday. The 21-year-old came off the bench in the 72nd minute and scored the equalizer just seven minutes later.

As previously reported by Get German Football News, Said helped create his older brother’s debut goal, delivering the initial cross that Alessio Castro-Montes redirected toward Malek at the far post. The brothers subsequently celebrated together on the pitch, becoming the first siblings to feature together for Köln in a Bundesliga fixture since Klaus and Thomas Allofs during the 1986/87 season.

The occasion also proved deeply emotional for their family, who had travelled to Berlin to witness the historic moment.

“When we had a FaceTime call a day later, my mum had lost her voice,” Said revealed. “I think she even cried in the stadium. They were probably ten times happier in the stands than I was on the pitch.”

For Said, the special family occasion has now been followed by another opportunity to represent Germany.

GGFN | Peter Weis