Vietnamese-heritage star Ibrahim Maza named among 'most exciting' at World Cup 2026

Ibrahim Maza, a rising star with Vietnamese heritage, has been recognized by ESPN as one of the 21 most watchable young players at the 2026 World Cup. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder currently plays for German club Leverkusen and represents Algeria on the international stage.

Maza, born and raised in Berlin to an Algerian father and a Vietnamese mother, is a highly sought-after talent. Transfermarkt values him at 45 million euros, with Sofascore estimating his worth at around 37 million euros. This high valuation underscores his potential as one of the world's most promising young footballers.

He previously played for Germany's youth national teams before choosing to represent Algeria in 2024. Maza has since made 15 appearances for the Algerian national team, contributing to their qualification for the upcoming World Cup. He is considered a key player in Algeria's "golden generation."

Maza's Vietnamese roots stem from his mother, who was born in southern Vietnam before emigrating to Germany. He has spoken of his pride in his heritage, telling local Berlin media, "I am very proud of my mother's origins. She is an important part of my life. And I know Vietnam is where she was born. I want to have the opportunity to go there one day."

Despite not yet visiting Vietnam, Maza reportedly maintains contact with his maternal relatives. At the World Cup, Algeria will face Argentina, Austria, and Jordan in Group F, with their opening match against Argentina. Maza is expected to have a notable matchup against Lionel Messi, whom he considers his childhood idol.

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I am very proud of my mother's origins. She is an important part of my life. And I know Vietnam is where she was born. I want to have the opportunity to go there one day.