The most valuable Vietnamese-origin prodigy in the world reveals why he chose not to play for the Vietnam national team

Ibrahim Maza confirmed that he was contacted by the VFF but opted to play for Algeria because of clearer career prospects and the ambition to participate in the World Cup.

Ibrahim Maza is the Vietnamese-origin player with the highest transfer value in history and has just openly shared his reasons for not choosing to wear the Vietnam national team jersey. The midfielder, born in 2005 and currently under contract with Bayer Leverkusen, confirmed that he was once contacted by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) but ultimately decided to play for the Algerian national team.

In an interview with the media, Maza revealed he holds three nationalities: German, Algerian, and Vietnamese. With a Vietnamese mother and an Algerian father, the 21-year-old player admitted to having special feelings for all three countries. He also confirmed that he was fully eligible and had considered the possibility of playing for Vietnam.

However, according to Maza, the final decision was driven by personal reasons and long-term career plans. The young Leverkusen star emphasized that his biggest career goal is to participate in a World Cup. Therefore, he had to carefully weigh emotional ties against professional opportunities.

Previously, Maza also explained why he did not choose the German national team where he grew up and developed his football skills. According to the midfielder, Germany has too many world-class stars in attacking midfield positions like Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, making competition for starting spots extremely fierce. This significantly reduces his chances of playing in the World Cup with “Die Mannschaft.”

Meanwhile, with Algeria, Maza sees a clearer and more practical path to realizing his big dream. He has already appeared 13 times for the North African team, scored 2 goals, and is gradually securing his place in the squad. If he maintains his form, the 20-year-old midfielder's chances of participating in the 2026 World Cup are considered quite high.

According to the latest valuation from Transfermarkt, Ibrahim Maza is currently worth 25 million euros (about 770 billion VND), becoming the most valuable Vietnamese-origin footballer in history. His decision not to choose the Vietnam national team may disappoint many, but for Maza, it was the best step to pursue his global ambitions.