Ebnoutalib Chooses Germany After Klopp's Call
In the tug of war that defines modern international football, one phone call decided it. Not a federation summit. Not a long courtship. A name flashing up on a screen.
Jurgen Klopp.
Frankfurt striker Ebnoutalib has confirmed he will represent Germany, turning down the chance to play for Morocco, the country of his heritage, after a direct approach from the new national team boss.
“There were talks with Morocco. But when Jurgen Klopp calls, you can’t say no,” Ebnoutalib said, laying out the choice in the bluntest possible terms.
From Regionalliga to Die Mannschaft
Two years ago, Ebnoutalib was grafting away in the Regionalliga with FC Giessen, far from the glamour of the international stage. Now he is in a 44-man Germany squad, on the brink of a first senior cap, and one game away from tying his future to the DFB.
His rise has been driven by a blistering start to the season with Eintracht Frankfurt. Four goals already, sharp movement, and a confidence that demanded attention. Klopp’s attention, specifically.
The Germany coach visited Eintracht’s training ground earlier this month. That trip quietly planted the seeds. The real moment came later.
Ebnoutalib was on a sports field on his day off when his phone rang. Klopp’s number appeared.
“I didn't think anything of it. I thought maybe he just wanted to ask how I was doing. After the phone call, tears came to my eyes. I thought about where I was just a few years ago and that it's crazy that all the hard work has paid off,” he said.
From part-time pitches to a call from one of the most influential managers of his generation. No wonder it hit hard.
Klopp’s Aura, Germany’s New Edge
The forward has now joined up with Germany as they prepare for a block of UEFA Nations League fixtures, headlined by a high-profile clash with the Netherlands. The atmosphere, he says, is already charged.
The presence of Klopp has transformed the camp. His reputation, his medals, his touchline charisma – all of it walks into the room before he does.
“The impression is very positive. He is, of course, someone who brings a great deal of experience and already has a certain presence because of what he has achieved over the years. So, naturally, you have a great deal of respect for him. But he was very nice and very likeable in the conversations,” Ebnoutalib explained.
Respect first. Then connection.
On the training pitch, the style is unmistakable. High pressing. Relentless running. Energy and power as non-negotiables.
“He is already very well known for the way he wants to play football. With high pressing, with a lot of energy and power. He has already fired us up. I think that’s what he is known for, that he is very good at reaching people and getting them on board. He has certainly got us in the right mindset," the striker said.
For a player whose own game is built on intensity and vertical threat, it feels like a natural fit.
Between Two Flags
This decision was not made in a vacuum. Morocco did not ignore him. The Moroccan Football Federation held talks, and Ebnoutalib also spoke with national team coach Mohamed Ouahbi.
“I spoke with him, but it wasn't an intensive exchange. I love both countries; they are both my countries of origin. I will definitely continue to support Morocco," he said.
There is no bitterness in that line, just a split heart and a clear choice. The emotional pull of his roots remains, but the footballing project with Germany, under Klopp, proved decisive.
His inclusion in such a large, experimental 44-man squad underlines the transitional nature of this Germany side. Klopp is testing, probing, reshaping. For Ebnoutalib, it is a door he could not afford to let close.
Now comes the hard part. Turning a phone call and a fairytale rise into a first cap, possibly against the Netherlands, and from there into a permanent place in a new-look Germany attack.
The decision has been made. The shirt is chosen. The next touch that matters will not be on a phone screen, but on a ball, under the floodlights, with a nation watching.
