Malek El Mala (born 2 April 2005) is a German professional footballer who plays as striker for Regionalliga West club 1. FC Köln II.
Early life El Mala was born in Krefeld, Germany. His mother Sabrina, is German, and his father Mohammed, is Lebanese. Both work at Düsseldorf-based consumer goods company Henkel. His father played as a centre-back for in Krefeld. El Mala's younger brother, Said, is also a professional footballer.
Club career El Mala began playing football with Linner SV, where his father had also played, remaining at the club until the under-11 level. He later joined the youth academy of Borussia Mönchengladbach, where he remained until his release at age 14. El Mala then joined TSV Meerbusch, before moving to Viktoria Köln in 2023.
On 19 February 2024, he signed his first professional contract with Viktoria Köln. He debuted with them in a 5–3 loss in a 3. Liga match against Preußen Münster on 27 April 2024. On 26 June 2024, El Mala signed a contract with 1. FC Köln; however, due to the club's transfer ban, he remained on loan at Viktoria Köln for the 2024–25 season. On 19 July 2025, his contract was extended until 2030.
El Mala played for Köln's reserve team in the Regionalliga West during the 2025–26 season; after playing 11 matches, in which he scored five goals, El Mala tore his muscle in November 2025 and was sidelined for several months, returning to action on 10 May 2026. After returning from injury, El Mala played two more games, finishing the season with 13 appearances.
International career Born in Germany, El Mala is of Lebanese descent through his father. In May 2024, he was called up to the Germany national under-19 team for a friendly against Denmark, and made his appearance as a half-time substitute in a 5–1 defeat.
Style of play Originally a centre-back, El Mala converted to a striker with Viktoria Köln's under-19s in early 2024.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueDFB-PokalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsViktoria Köln2023–243. Liga10—10201. FC Köln2024–252. Bundesliga———002025–26Bundesliga———002026–27Bundesliga———00Total00000000Viktoria Köln (loan)2024–253. Liga193—322251. FC Köln II ()2025–26Regionalliga West135——1352026–27Regionalliga West82——82Total2170000217Career total411000424512
Honours Viktoria Köln Middle Rhine Cup: 2025
References
External links