Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has addressed Younes Ebnoutalib’s decision to pursue an opportunity with Germany, after the Eintracht Frankfurt forward was included in Jürgen Klopp’s latest Germany squad.
The 23-year-old is eligible to represent both Germany and Morocco through his dual heritage, making his international future a closely followed subject.
Although Morocco had monitored his development for several years, Ebnoutalib has now received the opportunity to join Germany's senior setup.
Morocco Had Been Watching Ebnoutalib for Years
Ouahbi revealed that the Moroccan national team had been following Ebnoutalib long before his recent breakthrough at Eintracht Frankfurt.
“We have been following Younes since last season, and he was among the players we have been monitoring for about three years,” Ouahbi explained.
The coach also pointed to the challenges that previously slowed the forward's progress.
Injuries had interrupted his development, while limited playing time meant that he was not yet ready to make the step up to Morocco's senior team.
A Strong Start Changed the Picture
Ebnoutalib's situation changed with his performances at the beginning of the current season.
The Frankfurt forward began receiving more regular opportunities and quickly established himself as an important attacking option.
“In the first few months, he was not playing enough to join the national team, but he improved this season and started off well, so it was only natural for us to keep following him,” Ouahbi said.
His improved form eventually brought him onto the radar of Germany's senior team.
Ouahbi Personally Spoke With Ebnoutalib
The Morocco coach also confirmed that he had personally contacted the young forward.
“I spoke with Younes and encouraged him to consider the Moroccan national team project, but I didn’t promise him anything. The final decision was his personal choice,” Ouahbi said. Morocco therefore made its interest clear while leaving the decision entirely in the player's hands.
For Ebnoutalib, the choice ultimately led to his first senior Germany opportunity.
‘The Player Must Be Convinced’
Ouahbi stressed that Morocco does not intend to pressure dual-national players into representing the Atlas Lions.
“The Moroccan national team does not need to persuade players in any way; a player must be convinced of the project themselves,” he explained.
“Younes chose the path he considered best for him, and we will continue working.”
The comments underline Morocco's approach of presenting its sporting project while allowing eligible players to make their own international decisions.
A Major Moment for Ebnoutalib
Ebnoutalib's Germany call-up comes after a promising start to the season with Eintracht Frankfurt.
After previously dealing with injuries and limited opportunities, the forward has emerged as one of the Bundesliga club's notable attacking options.
His recent performances have now taken him to the next stage of his development, with a place in Germany's senior squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against the Netherlands and Greece.
His International Future Is Still Open
Despite the Germany call-up, Ebnoutalib's international future is not yet permanently decided.
A senior call-up alone does not complete an international switch. His eligibility remains formally open until he makes a competitive appearance for Germany under the applicable international rules.
For now, however, the Frankfurt forward has a major opportunity ahead of him as he enters the German national team setup.
For Morocco, the focus will shift back to its own squad and the next generation of players developing across Europe.
Ebnoutalib has made his choice for this stage of his career, while the international chapter of his story continues to unfold.