When Eintracht Frankfurt take on Borussia Dortmund this Friday, all eyes will be on Younes Ebnoutalib, the 22-year-old striker who has been one of the breakout stars of German football this season.
Having scored 12 goals in 17 games for second-tier Elversberg before Christmas, Ebnoutalib’s stellar form earned him a £6.9m move to Eintracht Frankfurt in late December, completing a remarkable rise from the fourth tier of German football to one of the Bundesliga’s most exciting young talents.
“To play in my hometown, and at such a big club… it was difficult to turn that down,” Ebnoutalib said at his official unveiling, returning to Frankfurt and moving back into his family home.
From Setbacks in Italy to Bundesliga Breakthrough
Just a year ago, Ebnoutalib was playing for FC Giessen in the fourth tier, after a challenging spell in Italy with Serie C side AC Perugia. During his time in Italy, the striker faced a harsh introduction to professional football, making only one league appearance and enduring a first training session where he was reportedly “shouted off the pitch” by a senior coach.
“In footballing terms it was the wrong decision for me [to go to Italy], but without that experience, I don’t think I would be where I am today,” Ebnoutalib reflected.
Returning to Germany, he found a lifeline at Giessen under former Frankfurt player Daniyel Cimen, who recognized his talent and gave him a fresh opportunity in July 2024. That move kick-started a meteoric rise, propelling Ebnoutalib from the fourth tier to the top flight in just one year.
Explosive Form with Elversberg
In January 2025, Ebnoutalib signed for Elversberg in the second division. Despite narrowly missing promotion to the Bundesliga, he quickly made a name for himself, scoring goals at an impressive rate and drawing attention from top-flight clubs. His 12 goals in 17 games during the first half of the 2025–26 season highlighted his ability as a clinical finisher and dynamic forward.
Cimen praised his former protégé:
“Younes is tall, athletic, and has a great finish with both feet. If he improves a few aspects of his game, there is no limit to his potential. He is also mentally tough because he has worked hard for everything.”
A Sporting Family and Early Discipline
Ebnoutalib comes from a sporting background. His father, Faissal Ebnoutalib, won a silver medal for Germany in taekwondo at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and Younes credits his early taekwondo training with building flexibility and injury resilience.
“Doing taekwondo for 10 years made me more flexible, so I have never had any muscular injuries,” he said.
Eintracht Frankfurt: A Launchpad to the Elite
Eintracht Frankfurt has a proven track record of developing forwards who succeed on the world stage. Stars like Randal Kolo Muani (Tottenham), Omar Marmoush (Manchester City), and Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool) all emerged from Frankfurt’s system, making the club a recognized “finishing school” for top strikers.
Ebnoutalib has already inherited the number 11 shirt, previously worn by Ekitike, signaling the club’s belief in his potential. While he is keeping comparisons in check, his coaches and former teammates are confident he can reach the Bundesliga’s elite level—and potentially the Premier League in the future.
Bundesliga Debut and Immediate Impact
Ebnoutalib is set for his Bundesliga debut against Borussia Dortmund on Friday, facing world-class players like Karim Adeyemi, Emre Can, and Serhou Guirassy. Frankfurt’s injury crisis, with Jonathan Burkardt sidelined and Elye Wahi loaned out, could see the young striker thrown in at the deep end.
“To make a jump like that in the space of a year and suddenly be playing against world-class players is pretty crazy,” he admitted.
Cimen added:
“With his abilities, it would be no surprise to see Ebnoutalib land at a Premier League club one day. The Premier League is physically tough, and Younes has all the qualities for that level. For now, he is living his dream with Eintracht Frankfurt.”
Looking Ahead: Champions League and Beyond
Ebnoutalib’s move to Eintracht Frankfurt not only represents a personal triumph but also a potential stepping stone to Champions League football and international recognition. From the fourth tier to Germany’s top flight in a year, his story is one of resilience, talent, and determination, highlighting the pathway for young footballers outside traditional academy systems.
As Eintracht Frankfurt host Borussia Dortmund, all eyes will be on Younes Ebnoutalib, the 22-year-old forward with the talent, work ethic, and mental strength to become one of the brightest stars in German football.
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