Let’s rewind a couple of months: On the finish of July, solely the most important soccer nerds knew who Younes Ebnoutalib even was. However at this time – only a quarter later – nearly each Bundesliga fan is asking: Who will snap up this satan of a participant subsequent?
The 22-year-old striker from SV 07 Elversberg is the feeling of the present second division season. And that is not simply due to his objectives, however particularly due to his story. Ebnoutalib solely got here from the regional league in January. There, he performed for the provincial membership FC Gießen. Earlier than that, he was even utterly with out a membership for seven months.
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Nevertheless, he can now name himself the highest scorer of the 2nd Bundesliga, scoring on common each 68 minutes. Together with his energy, pace, and goal-scoring intuition, he usually drives opposing defenses to despair.
From the Barracks to Skilled Soccer
The beginnings of his profession had been something however glamorous, as a ‘Bild’ report just lately revealed. At his earlier membership, the Italian AC Perugia, Ebnoutalib earned solely 800 euros a month, of which 450 euros went solely for lease.
He lived with about ten different gamers in a barracks, struggled with the language, and was not even allowed to play for the professionals, with one transient exception. Allegedly additionally as a result of his Italian was inadequate.
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Much more bitter: Because of a set clause, his contract prolonged to 5 years. And that regardless of hardly getting any enjoying time. Solely a metatarsal fracture put an finish to the sad Italian chapter.
What adopted was equally unglamorous: seven months of pause, no membership, and no perspective. Most younger gamers would have misplaced religion throughout this time. Not Ebnoutalib. FC Gießen gave him an opportunity. And after simply half a yr, Elversberg took the plunge in winter. For a modest 100,000 euros.
Capturing Via the Roof!
However even within the tranquil Saarland, issues began slowly. He performed simply 4 league matches previously second half of the season. And within the first three video games of this season, Ebnoutalib was solely substituted late.
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Then got here August 29: an away sport at Hertha BSC, his first begin. And what does Ebnoutalib do? He scores a brace. Elversberg wins 2-0.
After that, issues occurred in fast succession: two objectives towards Dynamo Dresden, two towards Braunschweig, then even a hat trick towards Greuther Fürth. After 9 video games, he has 9 objectives to his identify. No participant within the 2nd league has a greater ratio. On the similar time, Ebnoutalib joined an elite circle: In Europe’s high leagues this season, solely Harry Kane and Erling Haaland have as many a number of objectives. Not unhealthy in any respect!
Taekwondo As a substitute of Expertise Academy
Wanting again, his soccer training was fairly curious. Rising up in Frankfurt, Ebnoutalib performed primarily on the road till he was 14.
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His father Faissal was an athlete himself. A fairly profitable one: silver medalist on the 2000 Sydney Olympics, honored by then Chancellor Schröder. So, sports activities had been largely predetermined. However extra in the direction of Taekwondo.
Younes himself holds a black belt. Perhaps that explains his extraordinary physique, with which he now challenges one of the best defenders within the 2nd league. Solely at 14 may he persuade his father to affix a soccer membership. The primary cease was to be Rot-Weiss Frankfurt.
Half the Bundesliga is Watching
Eight years later, he’s sensationally on the high of the desk with Elversberg. The membership has correctly secured him with a contract till 2028. Nevertheless it already appears sure: If he continues like this, he won’t fulfill this contract. Not as a result of Elversberg would not need him, however as a result of inquiries from the Bundesliga are solely a matter of time.
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In accordance with ‘Bild’ info, the worth tag is already between 6 to eight million euros. And that’s more likely to rise somewhat than fall within the coming months. The Bundesliga is watching intently. Some golf equipment will in all probability inquire in Elversberg by winter on the newest.
📸 Maryam Majd – 2025 Getty Photographs
From No person to Bundesliga Candidate
Seeing a real no one turn into one of many scorching shares on the switch market in such a short while is uncommon in trendy skilled soccer. Even rarer is that the participant makes this leap with out a youth efficiency heart, with out a main academy, and with out U-national groups. Deniz Undav says good day.
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And Younes Ebnoutalib can also be the antithesis of the meticulously deliberate soccer expertise. Not a challenge participant, not an Instagram star with a U17 European Championship previous. He simply appeared and abruptly scores like clockwork.
The trail of Younes Ebnoutalib reads like a contemporary soccer fairy story. Solely this fairy story has simply begun. The query is: What comes subsequent? With close to certainty, it should in all probability be the Bundesliga.
This text was translated into English by Synthetic Intelligence.
📸 Andreas Schlichter – 2025 Getty Photographs