Younes Ebnoutalib’s international future has taken a new turn after Germany manager Jurgen Klopp held talks with the Eintracht Frankfurt striker.
Ebnoutalib has long appeared to be leaning towards Morocco, but Germany have now made a direct attempt to persuade the 22-year-old to choose the Mannschaft.
According to Sky Sport DE, Klopp visited Eintracht Frankfurt and spoke with Ebnoutalib during the trip. The pair are reported to have held a lengthy conversation, with Klopp said to be particularly impressed by the forward’s qualities and keen to convince him to represent Germany.
The timing of the approach follows a striking rise in Ebnoutalib’s fortunes. Born in Frankfurt, he opened his Bundesliga season with a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw against Union Berlin, having been playing in Germany’s lower divisions only a few months earlier.
His progress has also included a decisive performance in the cup, before he produced his Bundesliga treble in front of Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi. That sequence of performances has placed him firmly back at the centre of the international selection debate.
Ebnoutalib is eligible for both Germany and Morocco because his father is Moroccan and his mother is German. At 1.91m, he offers the physical attributes traditionally associated with a classic centre-forward: strength, the ability to hold the ball up with his back to goal and a powerful presence inside the penalty area.
Until recently, the evidence appeared to point towards the Atlas Lions.
Ebnoutalib previously represented Morocco at under-15 level. Last season, he also posted a picture of his boots carrying the Moroccan flag, a gesture widely interpreted as a sign that he wanted to be considered for the national team.
However, he was not selected for the 2026 World Cup, with Ouahbi opting for other options. The decision reportedly disappointed Ebnoutalib, who made clear that he was not closing the door on Germany.
His sudden emergence at club level has changed the situation. After making an impact in the cup and then scoring three times in the Bundesliga, his international future has become a major issue once again.
The key question is which sporting opportunity will appeal most to the player.
Germany could offer a natural role for a tall and powerful striker of Ebnoutalib’s type. Klopp may view him as a genuine central striking option, although there would be no guarantee of an immediate starting place.
Morocco’s attacking structure presents a different possibility. Ouahbi has used Ismael Saibari as a false nine, favouring a more fluid and mobile approach in attack.
Ebnoutalib would give the Atlas Lions a different dimension, providing a focal point up front, greater aerial strength and a more traditional penalty-box threat.
Morocco appeared to hold the emotional advantage, but Klopp’s personal intervention has added a new layer to the contest. What had seemed a likely decision may now become a genuine battle between the two countries.
Louis Mukoma Fargues