Ibrahim Maza is an Algerian international attacking midfielder who plays for Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Ibrahim Maza was born in Berlin in November 2005, he developed in German football before choosing to represent Algeria at senior international level.
A technically gifted attacker, he is comfortable receiving possession between midfield and defence. His dribbling and vision allow him to create opportunities, while his versatility supports several attacking roles.
Development in Berlin
Maza began playing football with Reinickendorfer Füchse before entering the Hertha BSC academy in 2016.
He progressed quickly through Hertha’s youth structure. In April 2023, he signed his first professional contract.
His Bundesliga debut followed only days later. That appearance made him the second-youngest Bundesliga player in Hertha’s history.
However, relegation meant much of his subsequent development occurred in Germany’s second tier.
That environment provided regular senior football at an important stage of his career.
Hertha BSC Breakthrough
The 2024/25 campaign established Ibrahim Maza as one of the most interesting young attacking players in Germany.
He became an important part of Hertha’s first team and demonstrated greater responsibility in possession.
Across his senior Hertha career, he recorded 51 appearances and nine goals before leaving Berlin.
His ability to carry the ball through central areas attracted attention from Bundesliga clubs. Moreover, his creativity offered value both as a scorer and as a provider.
Bayer Leverkusen moved to sign him in May 2025.
Breakthrough at Bayer Leverkusen
Maza officially joined Leverkusen in July 2025 and signed through June 2030.
The move immediately exposed him to a higher competitive level.
Rather than spending a season adapting on the margins, he became an influential first-team player.
During 2025/26, he made 44 competitive appearances. He contributed seven goals and five assists across all competitions.
As a result, Bayer supporters voted him the club’s Men’s Player of the Season.
He was also nominated for the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award.
Algeria and the 2026 World Cup
Maza represented Germany at U18, U19 and U20 level before choosing Algeria in 2024.
He made his senior international debut in October that year.
His international role expanded rapidly. By July 2026, he had already accumulated 20 Algeria appearances.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup provided another major stage.
Against Jordan, Maza earned Player of the Match recognition. He was also one of the tournament’s most productive dribblers, completing 14 successful dribbles.
Playing Profile
Ibrahim Maza primarily operates as an attacking midfielder, although he can occupy several offensive positions.
His strongest qualities appear when he receives possession between the lines.
He can turn under pressure, carry the ball forward and connect with attackers. In addition, his dribbling allows him to progress possession without relying exclusively on passing combinations.
His first Leverkusen season also demonstrated improving end product.
Therefore, his development is increasingly about becoming a consistent difference-maker rather than simply an emerging prospect.
At 20, he already combines extensive senior club experience with World Cup football.
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Player image: Shawarmael7alouin · Own work / Wikimedia Commons / CC0
Career overview
Ibrahim Maza began his development with Reinickendorfer Füchse before joining Hertha BSC's academy. He signed professional terms with Hertha in April 2023 and made his Bundesliga debut shortly afterwards. Regular senior football followed in the 2. Bundesliga before Bayer 04 Leverkusen signed him in 2025. His first Leverkusen season produced 44 competitive appearances and 12 goal contributions. Supporters subsequently voted him the club's Men's Player of the Season for 2025/26. Internationally, he represented Germany at youth level before choosing Algeria. He made his Algeria senior debut in October 2024 and later represented the country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Collecting overview
Ibrahim Maza football cards offer an interesting collecting chronology because his licensed Topps catalogue began before his move to Bayer Leverkusen. His cards now span Hertha BSC, Bundesliga prospect products and Leverkusen releases. ### 2022/23 Topps NOW Bundesliga One of the earliest documented Maza releases is **2022/23 Topps NOW Bundesliga #217**. The card features him during his Hertha BSC period and was produced in both English and German versions. Trading Card Database also documents numbered Red, Black and Gold parallels. This makes #217 particularly relevant when researching his earliest licensed Topps cards. However, collectors should distinguish an early licensed card from a manufacturer-designated rookie card. ### 2024/25 Topps Inception Bundesliga Maza later appeared in **2024/25 Topps Inception Bundesliga**. His unnumbered **Next Gen** card provides a premium prospect-era release from his Hertha period. Documented parallels include Blue /99, Green /75, Purple /49, Orange /25, Red /5 and lower-numbered premium versions. The product therefore offers collectors a significantly different proposition from the earlier print-on-demand Topps NOW release. ### 2025/26 Bayer Leverkusen Cards His move to Leverkusen expanded the catalogue further. **2025/26 Bundesliga Topps NOW Card #57** features Maza with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Topps offered Gold /50, Orange /25, Black /10, Red /5 and a 1/1 FoilFractor. The 2025/26 Topps Chrome Bundesliga checklist also includes a **BA-IMA Base Autograph** and **LE-24 Black Spektrum Limited Edition** card. In addition, Topps Gold Bundesliga includes Maza in both the **Gold** base subset and the **Midas** insert checklist.
What collectors should look for
Ibrahim Maza football cards provide several routes for prospect collectors. The most important distinction is between early Hertha cards and later releases produced after his breakthrough with Bayer Leverkusen. ### Early Card Identification The 2022/23 Topps NOW Bundesliga #217 deserves particular attention because it predates his later Inception and Leverkusen cards. The 2024/25 Inception Next Gen release is another significant prospect-era option. Neither should automatically be described as his definitive rookie without a manufacturer designation. Collectors should therefore separate earliest licensed appearance, prospect card and manufacturer-designated rookie terminology. ### Grading Considerations Collectors considering an Ibrahim Maza football card for grading should identify the exact product and parallel first. Chrome cards require careful inspection for scratches, print lines, dimples and centering. Inception cards use premium stock, so corners and edges deserve particular attention. Topps NOW cards should also be inspected for edge and corner wear. Finally, numbered parallels and autographs should always be verified against the corresponding checklist before grading.
Collector questions
Who is Ibrahim Maza?
Ibrahim Maza is an Algerian international attacking midfielder who plays for Bayer 04 Leverkusen. He was born in Berlin and developed through Hertha BSC.
What position does Ibrahim Maza play?
He primarily plays as an attacking midfielder. However, his technical ability and dribbling allow him to operate in several offensive positions.
When did Ibrahim Maza join Bayer Leverkusen?
He signed for Bayer Leverkusen in May 2025 and officially joined the club for the 2025/26 season. His contract runs through June 2030.
Does Ibrahim Maza have early football cards?
Yes. His documented Topps catalogue includes 2022/23 Topps NOW Bundesliga #217 from his Hertha BSC period, followed by later Bundesliga products.
Does Ibrahim Maza have autograph cards?
Yes. The 2025/26 Topps Chrome Bundesliga checklist includes BA-IMA Ibrahim Maza as a Base Autograph for Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
What should collectors check before grading Ibrahim Maza football cards?
Collectors should inspect centering, surfaces, edges and corners. They should also verify the exact product, parallel and autograph variation against its checklist.