“ When Klopp calls you, you have to go”: Ebnoutalib explains why he turned down Morocco

Younes Ebnoutalib makes no secret of his enthusiasm for his first days with the German national team. Called up for the first time by Jürgen Klopp, the 23-year-old German-Moroccan player describes “a very special feeling” and the positive energy radiating from the new manager.

“Klopp is one of the best coaches in the world,” said the striker from the German team’s training camp in Herzogenaurach. Asked about the reasons that led him to prefer the Mannschaft over the Atlas Lions, he gave a much more direct answer: “When Kloppo calls you, you have to go,” reports Al Arabiya.

Morocco had nevertheless tried to convince the Frankfurt native. Ebnoutalib confirms that he spoke with Mohamed Ouahbi about Morocco’s sporting project. These discussions ultimately did not carry as much weight as Klopp’s personal call and the possibility of immediately joining the German national team.

On Bladi.net : Ebnoutalib turns his back on Morocco, Ouahbi responds sharply

The striker was selected for the Nations League matches against the Netherlands, on September 24 in Amsterdam, and then against Greece, three days later in Augsburg. He is one of the few genuine centre-forwards called up in Klopp’s first squad and could therefore quickly earn his first cap.

Ouahbi had presented him with Morocco’s project

Mohamed Ouahbi had confirmed a few days earlier that he had been following Ebnoutalib since last season. The Moroccan manager had personally called the player to present him with the Atlas Lions’ project, without promising him a call-up or a place in the team.

The coach acknowledged that the striker’s current performances would have allowed him to stake a claim for a place in the Morocco squad. He nevertheless accepted his decision and publicly closed the matter: “He chose Germany, good luck to him. The matter is closed.”

Ebnoutalib’s profile quickly gained importance after his excellent start to the season with Francfort. Notably scoring a hat-trick against Union Berlin, the striker reignited competition between the two federations within a few weeks. Born in Germany to Moroccan parents, he could represent either country.

On Bladi.net : He scores a hat-trick, and Morocco and Germany immediately vie for Younes Ebnoutalib

From a regulatory standpoint, his choice is not yet definitively locked in as long as he has not played in an official match for the German national team. An appearance against the Netherlands or Greece would nevertheless close the door to a future change, since the player is already 23.

For Morocco, this outcome leaves an unfinished feeling. The Federation had been monitoring Ebnoutalib for several months, but Germany took advantage of his notable start to the season to move quickly and immediately offer him a place in the squad.

The striker now stands by his decision. More than the rankings of the two national teams or assurances of playing time, it was above all Jürgen Klopp’s personal intervention that appears to have settled the duel: when the former Liverpool manager called, Ebnoutalib did not want to let the opportunity pass.