Niels Ebnoutalib Chooses Germany Over Morocco After Klopp's Call
In the ruthless tug-of-war of international football, sometimes it all comes down to one phone call. For Niels Ebnoutalib, that call came from Jurgen Klopp – and it settled everything.
The Eintracht Frankfurt striker has committed his international future to Germany, turning down the chance to represent Morocco, the country of his heritage, after a direct approach from the new Germany boss.
“There were talks with Morocco. But when Jurgen Klopp calls, you can’t say no,” Ebnoutalib admitted.
From Regionalliga to Die Mannschaft
Two years ago, Ebnoutalib was grinding away in the Regionalliga with FC Giessen, miles from the glamour of international football. Now he is walking into a Germany camp run by one of the most iconic coaches of his generation.
His rise has been powered by a blistering start to the season with Eintracht Frankfurt, where he has already scored four times. That form, and a visit from Klopp to Eintracht’s training ground earlier this month, pushed him onto the national team radar.
The defining moment came on what was supposed to be a quiet day.
Ebnoutalib was on a sports field on his day off when his phone lit up with Klopp’s number. At first, he thought it might just be a courtesy check-in. It was anything but.
“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, reflecting on the conversation that changed his career.
Klopp’s Aura Shifts the Balance
Morocco had not been idle. The Moroccan Football Federation held talks, and Ebnoutalib spoke with national team coach Mohamed Ouahbi. The door to the Atlas Lions was open.
But Klopp’s arrival with Germany changed the equation.
Inside the Germany camp, the forward has already felt the weight of his new manager’s reputation. The atmosphere, he says, is intense, charged by Klopp’s track record and personality.
“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.
On the training pitch, the identity is clear. High pressing. Relentless energy. Power.
“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.”
A First Cap in Sight
Ebnoutalib has been named in Klopp’s sprawling 44-man experimental squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures. It is a huge step for a player who was plying his trade in Germany’s fourth tier not long ago.
Germany are gearing up for a demanding run of games, including a standout clash with the Netherlands. That is where Ebnoutalib hopes to make his senior debut, a first cap that would officially tie him to the DFB and close the door on Morocco at international level.
The emotional pull remains complicated. His roots are shared.
“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 of his contact with Ouahbi and his feelings for the North African nation.
For now, though, his future is painted in black, red and gold, under a coach who has already shaped eras at club level. The next question is simple: how far can Klopp take late bloomers like Ebnoutalib on the international stage?
