Before Alonso went to Real Madrid, he helped a pharmaceutical company persuade Mazza to join, and compared Wirtz/Muciara

Hupu reported on November 19th that German media Bild reporter Axel Hesse wrote a column on Xabi Alonso.

April 6, 2025: Leverkusen coach Xavi Alonso (43) walked into the room and told Ibrahim Maza (19) that he had postponed a family gathering just for this meeting.

This talented player who was playing for the German second division team Hertha Berlin became the last player Alonso persuaded that day. He helped Leverkusen defeat Stuttgart, and Alonso was one step away from coaching Real Madrid.

Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes (43 years old) and professional manager Kim Falkenberg (37 years old) have made all preparations, discussed contract details and compiled scouting reports.

Now, it's finally Alonso's moment. Mazza, who had previously been allowed to skip training, participated in the meeting.

The meeting was held the day after Hertha Berlin beat Cologne 1-0. At the meeting, Maza gained an unprecedented perspective. The Spanish coach compared him to the world's top players such as Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala (22) and Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz (22), who soon moved to Liverpool.

Alonso explained to Mazza his future direction at Leverkusen and the reality he must accept.

Alonso pointed out bluntly that the two German internationals' sprint distance in each game was about 600 meters, while Maza's sprint distance in each game in the Bundesliga was about 120 meters.

Alonso's tone was not criticism, but encouragement. He explained that the outcome of a major competition often depends on the forward sprint. This kind of sprint can split the defense and create space. And Mazza is a player with this ability. In addition, Rolfes and Falkenberg promised that the club's style of play will not change even if Alonso leaves.

Mazar is very humble, which may be a quality he inherited from his family. His mother is Vietnamese and his father is Algerian. The parents attend every one of their son's games, even away games. After his son was booked in Lisbon for protesting a referee's decision, doctors pointed out that this was not a trait in their family's character.

The same goes for luxury and ostentation. Maza doesn’t carry a designer bag or wear designer clothes. He lives in a three-bedroom apartment in Düsseldorf, with the third room reserved for guests. One of his parents or his sister - a family member - was always with him.

Therefore, he may be able to represent Germany in the World Cup at the age of 19. National team coach Julian Nagelsmann (38) would like to see Maza choose Germany and criticized that his decision to choose Algeria should be based on emotional rather than competitive reasons, but this is a reflection of Maza's consistent persistence in his own path.