Maza was born in Berlin to an Algerian father, but spent his entire youth international career with Germany. Despite being born in Bavaria, Maza is quite familiar with Algeria and grew up in the land of the Fennec Foxes before making a move to Europe. From the time he was a little kid, Maza was well aware of Algeria’s rich traditions and rich hospitality. Every summer, he would visit the country to meet his relatives, including his grandparents, who still reside in the suburbs of the Algerian capital. As a result, the bond between Maza and Algeria grew over the years. In an exclusive interview with FIFA, Maza once said, “The weather is lovely here, everyone is friendly and the country is beautiful.”
This is exactly why, as soon as he received a call-up from coach Vladimir Petkovic to represent Algeria against Togo in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 qualifiers this October, he showed a thumbs-up to the proposal.
Ibrahim Maza is an advanced playmaker. He is a highly technical and creative genius in the final third, personifying the unpredictability, creativity, and confidence typically associated with this role. The 19-year-old stands out for his technical acumen. The best feature of his playing style is ball carrying, as the Algerian international has demonstrated an exceptional ability to maintain tight control and slick technical shifts at high speeds. This helps him to adapt quickly, create space, or win balls in dangerous areas.
If you think Maza's lanky frame and 1.80m stature will crumble in front of the physicality of the opposition defenders, that's not the case, though. Maza exhibits remarkable strength in holding possession and maintaining balance under pressure. While he needs to build on his body mass to adapt to the hardcore style of play that football demands, the youngster should also be cautious about gaining too much muscle mass. Sacrificing his exceptional balance and nimble movement could hinder his unique qualities that make him so effective in tight spaces. Maintaining the right balance between physical development and preserving his natural agility can be key to his long-term success.
Maza is known for making smart runs into the opposition's penalty area and often finds himself in scoring positions. He skillfully baffles his markers, allowing him to exploit open space productively. Following a pass, he makes direct movements that establish advantageous angles for penetrative interplay, enhancing his team’s attacking dynamics.
Maza is a talented long-range finisher. He has perfected the art of hitting the ball with both his feet. His spontaneous style of play, agility, and the ability to take sharp turns help him beat defenders with ease. His body shifts allow him to create space from defenders, and his blistering burst of pace is an added advantage. Maza also imposes himself over the defensive department and sometimes even takes charge of the link-up plays.
The Algerian international actively monitors and tracks down runners and isn’t afraid to make physical challenges in midfield when needed. This facet of his game defines him as a complete player.
Maza also excels in tight-space ball manipulation. His superb first touch, supreme level of skill, and creative ingenuity make it difficult for a defender to win the ball from him. Maza always finds new ways to evade the opposition backline, keeping the defenders on their toes.