Germany’s New Wave: Two 19-Year-Olds Crash the National Team with a Rocket Start

Germany's New Wave: Two 19-Year-Olds Earn National Team Call-Ups

Two 19-year-olds, Said Malla and Asan Ouidraogo, have earned spots in Germany's squad for the current international window, ahead of World Cup qualifiers with Luxembourg and Slovakia. The rapid rise from the Bundesliga to the senior side is turning heads and stoking conversations about youth integration.

Said Malla has already made 10 Bundesliga appearances for Köln, scoring four goals and providing one assist so far. Nine of those appearances had been tallied by the time the squad was announced, underscoring a breakout season that caught Julían Nagelsmann's eye.

“Said deserves a chance to show his natural pace and simplicity with us,” Nagelsmann said when confirming the selection for the Luxembourg and Slovakia matches. “We monitor players under 21 and always want to give them opportunities with the senior national team.”

Asan Ouidraogo, a 19-year-old talent at Leipzig, was named as a developmental option replacing Nadim Amiri, following strong form in the Bundesliga. “Asan is delivering very well right now, a young player with real potential, and we want to see him in training with the senior group,” Nagelsmann added.

Despite being in his second season at the Red Bull Arena, the midfielder has 13 Bundesliga appearances to his name and has also racked up a solid 2. Bundesliga tally with his parent club Schalke in earlier seasons, showing versatility and resilience beyond the top flight.

While it’s uncommon for players with relatively few Bundesliga appearances to be capped by Germany, it isn’t unheard of. The history includes players who debuted with limited league minutes, yet went on to establish themselves in the national team.

Legends such as Beckenbauer and Netzer are cited to illustrate that a first cap can arrive before a long top-flight résumé is built. The piece also notes players who forged paths abroad before breaking into the national team, underscoring Germany’s openness to non-traditional routes and diverse experiences.

The current squad for the international window features a blend of players from Dortmund, Leipzig, Bayern Munich and other Bundesliga clubs, reflecting Germany’s broad talent pool as they prepare for Luxembourg and Slovakia.

Punchline 1: If youth is fuel, Germany’s bench is a space rocket—strap in and enjoy the lift. Punchline 2: When you’re 19 in the national team, your resume reads like a highlight reel, and your main job is to keep the coach from losing his whistle on the bus ride home.