World Cup miracle of Vietnamese-blooded player

Algeria's ticket to the 2026 World Cup finals has brought some joy to Vietnamese fans thanks to the significant contribution of a player of Vietnamese blood.

Ibrahim Maza shines in Algeria's shirt - Photo: REUTERS

Contribute to the journey to the World Cup

That is Ibrahim Maza - known as the most expensive Vietnamese-origin player in the world of football. Although he has not yet reached his 20th birthday, he has contributed significantly to the journey of Algeria to win a ticket to the World Cup.

In the early morning match of October 10 (Vietnam time), Algeria beat Somalia 3-0 to secure the top spot in Group G, equivalent to an official ticket to the World Cup. Maza came on as a substitute in the 60th minute of the match.

Before that, this player of Vietnamese origin played prominently in key matches, especially in the September and October series. He showed his ability to create, move without the ball and coordinate impressively in groups. Maza has now had 4 appearances for the national team despite being only 19 years old.

European media rated this as "a bright gem of Algeria's attack" - a comment published in Kicker (Germany) on October 7.

Ibrahim Maza was born in November 2005 in Berlin, Germany, to an Algerian father and a Vietnamese mother.

Maza grew up in Hertha BSC's training center - Photo: BSC

Maza grew up in Germany and speaks fluent German and French. He received his early football training from the youth system of Hertha BSC.

He was a member of the German U17 and U18 teams, before making the big decision: choosing to play for the Algerian national team at the international level. This decision was confirmed by the Algerian Football Federation itself in early 2024, after Maza completed the procedure of changing federations according to FIFA regulations.

According to the transfer valuation site Transfermarkt (updated October 2025), Maza's value is at 12 million euros, equivalent to more than 300 billion VND.

This is an unprecedented high price for a player of Vietnamese origin, far surpassing the previous prominent Vietnamese-American names. He is considered to have the potential to become a long-term mainstay of the Algerian national team, and is closely watched by many big clubs in Europe.

Maza's Vietnamese blood originates from his mother who was born in South Vietnam before settling in Germany.

Maza briefly shared about her roots on a local Berlin TV channel: “I am very proud of my mother’s origins. She is an important part of my life. And I know that Vietnam is where she was born. I would like to go there one day.”

Although he has not had the opportunity to visit his mother's homeland, he is said to still keep in touch with relatives in Vietnam through his mother's family.

Why did Maza choose Algeria?

The reason Maza chose to play for Algeria instead of Germany or Vietnam comes from both professional factors and development opportunities.

For the German national team, competition in midfield and forward positions is extremely fierce, making the possibility of being called up to the first team very difficult.

Algeria became the right choice, allowing him to play internationally while also maintaining a connection with his father's homeland.

Maza’s development journey is considered typical of the generation of young players of immigrant origin in Europe. He joined the Hertha academy at the age of 9, standing out for his technical ability, good long-range shooting and sharp tactical thinking.

Maza moved to Leverkusen this summer - Photo: LFC

Maza was selected as the academy's "Promising Young Player" in 2022. In the 2023-2024 season, he made his debut for Hertha's first team and quickly established himself as a mainstay, scoring 5 goals and providing 7 assists in just 20 games in the German Second Division.

When he transferred to the Algerian national team, this player of Vietnamese origin was evaluated by head coach Vahid Halilhodzic as "a player who can shape the next generation of the Algerian national team".

Local media have dubbed him “the new Mahrez” – a hopeful comparison to star Riyad Mahrez. During the African World Cup qualifiers, Maza was used flexibly as an attacking midfielder and winger, often making the difference on the counter-attack.

The world football community also quickly took notice of this Vietnamese-blooded talent. Bild (Germany) once wrote: "Maza possesses rare elements: speed, spatial awareness and delicate handling ability. He is capable of reaching the big arena."

Meanwhile, the French newspaper L'Équipe commented: "A player born in Berlin, of Vietnamese and Algerian descent, but is bringing pride to North Africa. He is proof of multiculturalism in modern football."

This summer, Leverkusen spent 12 million euros to buy Maza from Hertha, and so far he has gradually become a mainstay of the powerful German team.

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HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ky-tich-world-cup-cua-cau-thu-mang-dong-mau-viet-20251010091149438.htm