Ibrahim Maza is one of the most exciting young attacking midfielders in European football and one of the brightest talents to emerge from Germany’s youth development system in recent years.
Renowned for his creativity, dribbling ability, vision, and technical excellence, the Algerian international has rapidly evolved from a promising academy prospect into one of the Bundesliga’s most highly-rated young stars.
Currently, Maza plays for Bayer Leverkusen after completing a move from Hertha BSC in the summer of 2025. The attacking midfielder signed a contract until June 30, 2030, and has quickly established himself as one of Leverkusen’s most valuable players and one of the leading young talents in German football.
At the international level, Maza represents Algeria national football team after switching allegiance from Germany’s youth setup. As of mid-2026, he has earned 16 senior caps and scored two goals for Algeria, cementing his status as a cornerstone of the country’s next generation.
Salary
Following his transfer to Bayer Leverkusen, Maza signed a five-year contract running until June 30, 2030. While Leverkusen do not publicly disclose player wages, estimates place the Algerian international among the club’s emerging high earners following his rapid rise in market value and importance to the first team.
His annual salary is believed to be in the region of €2.5 million, reflecting both his potential and his growing status as one of the Bundesliga’s most exciting young attacking midfielders. With continued development and sustained performances, his earnings are expected to rise significantly over the coming years.
| Period | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|
| Annual Salary | $2,850,000 |
| Monthly Salary | $237,500 |
| Weekly Salary | $54,808 |
| Daily Salary | $7,829 |
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Market value
According to Transfermarkt, Maza’s current market value stands at €45 million as of May 2026, making him the most valuable Algerian footballer in the world and the most valuable player in Bayer Leverkusen’s squad.
His valuation has experienced a meteoric rise over the last three years, driven by his breakthrough at Hertha Berlin, his move to Bayer Leverkusen, and his emergence as a regular international for Algeria. The midfielder’s value has increased from less than €1 million in 2023 to €45 million by 2026.
| Date | Market Value | Age | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06.20.2023 | €800,000 | 17 | Hertha BSC U19 |
| 12.18.2023 | €3,000,000 | 18 | Hertha BSC |
| 09.24.2024 | €8,000,000 | 18 | Hertha BSC |
| 12.18.2024 | €12,000,000 | 19 | Hertha BSC |
| 06.01.2025 | €12,000,000 | 19 | Hertha BSC |
| 12.17.2025 | €25,000,000 | 20 | Bayer Leverkusen |
| 03.25.2026 | €35,000,000 | 20 | Bayer Leverkusen |
| 05.27.2026 | €45,000,000 | 20 | Bayer Leverkusen |
Career
Ibrahim Maza’s rise is one of the most impressive success stories in German football over the last decade, taking him from Berlin’s youth ranks to the Bundesliga and international football.
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Hertha Academy Development (2016–2023): Born in Berlin to Algerian roots, Maza developed through Hertha BSC’s academy system. His exceptional technical ability, creativity, and maturity on the ball quickly marked him out as one of the club’s most promising prospects. He progressed through every youth level before making his senior breakthrough.
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Hertha BSC Breakthrough (2023–2025): Maza established himself as one of the standout young players in German football while playing for Hertha in the 2. Bundesliga. During the 2024/25 campaign, he became the most valuable player in the division and attracted interest from several major European clubs, including Atlético Madrid, Brighton, and Bayer Leverkusen.
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Bayer Leverkusen (2025–Present): Leverkusen secured his signature for a reported €12 million in the summer of 2025. Since arriving, he has become a key contributor in both the Bundesliga and European competitions. His performances during the 2025/26 season included three goals and six assists in all competitions, while his technical quality and creativity earned widespread praise.
Accolades & Highlights
Maza enters the 2026/27 season as one of Europe’s most highly-rated young attacking midfielders.
His combination of dribbling, vision, passing range, and attacking intelligence has drawn comparisons to former Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz. During the 2025/26 season, he established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s breakout stars and became the highest-valued Algerian footballer in the world.
His rise has attracted interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs. Reports in Spain, Germany, and England have linked him with continued monitoring from elite sides, while supporters and analysts frequently identify him as one of the continent’s most exciting talents born in 2005.
For Algeria, Maza is viewed as a future leader of the national team. His performances at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations further elevated his profile, while his impact for Leverkusen has reinforced expectations that he could become one of Africa’s biggest football stars over the coming years.
