Ibrahim Maza discusses his evolution and remarkable season for club and country

Algeria national team midfielder Ibrahim Maza is enjoying a transformational 2025-26 season for club and country since joining Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. The 20-year-old discussed his evolution as a player with Leverkusen’s magazine Werkself.

Come for Ibo’s cross, stay for Patrik’s emotions 😍🇨🇿#MCIB04 pic.twitter.com/IjkzpbaCrB

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) November 27, 2025

The Berlin-born player was known more as a purely attacking force, playing in a #10 role or even in the attacking line. However, since joining Leverkusen from second tier club Hertha BSC, he has had to develop more dimensions to his style of play which he acknowledged as crucial to his breakthrough:

“A key moment was when the coach played me as a number 6 or 8 alongside Aleix García. From then on, I gained confidence and consistency, especially in my defensive work,” said Maza in a passage quoted by Algerian sports outlet La Gazette du Fennec.

The Champions League showed Ibrahim Maza can compete at highest level

Highlighting the key moment of the season, the young midfielder described his experience in the UEFA Champions League this season as a major moment in his career. In response to a question about his performance against Benfica in the competition and whether it was his finest moment so far at Bayer, Maza responded:

“I would actually say the victory against Manchester City—the match where I set up Patrik Schick’s goal. City, the Champions League—nobody thought we’d get anything out of that game. But then we showed everyone; we won 2–0, and that was very special.”

He expanded on his Champions League experience:

“During the match against Benfica, I actually forgot that Mourinho was the coach. Then I looked over and saw him—and then I took a closer look, because he has gray hair now and I wasn’t entirely sure. But then I recognized him and just thought: “Wow—it really is him!”

But it was even more special when I played against Phil Foden in Manchester. I knew him from watching him on TV and in YouTube videos; I’d always admired him. And then Haaland came on as well—he had quite an aura about him, I have to say. Such a massive beast, a monster—it was incredible. I felt exactly the way any fan would feel in that situation.”

Improved discipline and focus on and off the pitch has become an emerging theme for the young talent since moving up to the Bundesliga:

“I focus on ambidexterity—and occasionally on decision-making regarding where to direct a pass. For instance, when I first arrived here, I was struck by just how high the standard of the fundamentals is: receiving and passing the ball at high speed while under pressure. I actually told Robert Andrich and Aleix Garcia how impressed I was with them; they execute those actions superbly, with perfect crispness.

And, of course, there is still the defensive side of the game—as an attacking player, there is always room for improvement in that area. Furthermore, given the intense schedule of matches, I’ve come to realize just how crucial recovery, nutrition, and getting enough sleep truly are. I’ve always been good about managing my sleep, but the subject of nutrition has taken on a completely new level of importance here. Back at Hertha, I would still occasionally grab a kebab or a burger with friends in my spare time. But here, with the constant focus on match preparation or recovery, you simply can’t afford to do that.”

Maza acknowledged that there was pressure to move to a higher level earlier after making major strides at Hertha, but that he needed to wait for the right moment.

“In previous years, it was too soon. I first needed to get used to life as a professional. At Hertha, it was easier to get playing time. But before this season, I knew I was ready for the Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League . I wanted to show the world what I could do. That’s why my Man of the Match trophy against SL Benfica is sitting in my living room, next to my console.”

Ibrahim Maza 🇩🇿 impressionne contre la Guinée équatoriale, avec un style qui rappelle fortement Zinedine Zidane. #AFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/ozbkRy4GBz

— 🦅﮼رَاشـــــد | Rashid (@RLehbib) December 31, 2025

Since electing to change international allegiance to Algeria from his country of birth in late 2024, Maza has quickly emerged as a key player for Les Verts. He came off the bench to score in a 3-0 victory over Sudan to begin the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and was chosen in the initial XI for the remaining matches in Morocco.

Maza pointed out that he was born in a happy, multicultural family which allowed him to pursue his footballing passion:

“It was great. My parents met during their university days—I believe it was even in Cologne, so right here in the Rhineland. My father is a chief physician, and my mother is a daycare director. Fortunately, we were very well off; we had everything we needed and got along wonderfully.

My mother was the one who tended to look after our academic progress. My father, on the other hand—both with me and with my younger brother, who now plays for Hertha—focused more on the football side of things and encouraged that. (laughs) My sister is currently studying medicine. We are a happy family.”

The budding star is approaching forty appearances in his debut season for Bayer, producing 5 goals and 5 assists in 37 matches across all competitions. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming up following the club season, there is yet another opportunity for Maza to show the world how he is rapidly developing into a player who can thrive on the world stage.