Ebnoutalib Chooses Germany Over Morocco After Klopp's Call

In the tangled world of dual nationality and international tug‑of‑war, sometimes it all comes down to one voice on the other end of the line. For Eintracht Frankfurt striker Ebnoutalib, that voice belonged to Jurgen Klopp.

The forward has confirmed he will represent Germany, turning down the chance to play for Morocco, the country of his heritage, after a direct approach from the new national team boss.

“There were talks with Morocco. But when Jurgen Klopp calls, you can’t say no,” Ebnoutalib said, summing up a decision that could shape the rest of his career.

From Regionalliga to Die Mannschaft

Two years ago, Ebnoutalib was grinding away in the Regionalliga with FC Giessen. No spotlight, no fanfare, just the hard miles of lower-league football. Now he stands on the brink of a first senior cap for Germany.

His rise has been fuelled by a blistering start to the current season with Eintracht Frankfurt, where he has already scored four goals. That form caught Klopp’s attention when the coach visited Eintracht’s training ground earlier this month. The seeds of the international switch were planted there.

The defining moment, though, came on a day off, on an ordinary sports field.

Ebnoutalib recalled seeing an unfamiliar number flash up on his phone. “I didn't think anything of it. I thought maybe he just wanted to ask how I was doing. After the phone call, tears came to my eyes. I thought about where I was just a few years ago and that it's crazy that all the hard work has paid off,” he said.

From Regionalliga pitches to a call from Klopp. The contrast hit him hard.

Klopp’s Aura, Germany’s New Energy

Now embedded in Germany’s national team camp, Ebnoutalib has stepped into an environment already reshaped by Klopp’s presence. The striker spoke of an intense atmosphere, the kind that comes when a serial winner walks into the room and instantly commands the floor.

“The impression is very positive. He is, of course, someone who brings a great deal of experience and already has a certain presence because of what he has achieved over the years. So, naturally, you have a great deal of respect for him. But he was very nice and very likeable in the conversations,” Ebnoutalib noted.

On the training pitch, the identity is familiar. Klopp has wasted no time imprinting his trademark style.

“He is already very well known for the way he wants to play football. With high pressing, with a lot of energy and power. He has already fired us up. I think that’s what he is known for, that he is very good at reaching people and getting them on board. He has certainly got us in the right mindset.”

The message is clear: intensity, aggression, buy‑in. Ebnoutalib has no doubts about the direction of travel.

A 44-Man Audition and a Defining Choice

His selection in Klopp’s bold 44-man experimental squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures is a landmark in his story. It is also a clear sign that the new Germany coach is casting the net wide, testing depth and character as much as talent.

Germany face a run of Nations League matches, including a high-profile clash with the Netherlands. For Ebnoutalib, those games carry extra weight. A first senior appearance would not just cap his rise; it would officially lock his international future to the DFB.

The choice came after contact from both sides. He spoke with Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi, but the pull from Germany grew stronger once Klopp stepped in personally.

“I spoke with him, but it wasn't an intensive exchange. I love both countries; they are both my countries of origin. I will definitely continue to support Morocco,” Ebnoutalib said.

There is no bitterness in that line, only a clear emotional tie to both flags. But his path is set now, and it runs through Germany’s dressing room and Klopp’s high-octane blueprint.

From a quiet phone call on a day off to the roar of a Nations League night, the next step is simple: earn that first cap and prove that one of international football’s boldest recent decisions was the right one.