Deniz Undav tells Ibrahim Maza to join PSG after match

Following a high-scoring Bundesliga fixture at the BayArena, VfB Stuttgart captain Deniz Undav offered Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Ibrahim Maza a blunt piece of career advice in the stadium catacombs: Go to Paris, man! The lighthearted remark from the Germany international followed Stuttgart’s 4:2 victory over Leverkusen on November 1, 2026, a match in which the 20-year-old Maza proved to be a persistent offensive threat for the hosts.

BayArena Match Performance and Tactical Impact

Maza anchored Leverkusen’s attack during their first home defeat of the season, consistently creating space and winning duels against the Stuttgart backline. The young midfielder scored a header in the 79th minute and tested the Stuttgart defense on multiple occasions before the final whistle. Undav acknowledged that defensive pressure directly in his post-match interview with Sky, stating that Leverkusen possesses a standout player in Maza who draws defenders and wins key duels.

Past Transfer Inquiries and Squad Decisions

Stuttgart sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth addressed media reports after the match indicating that the club had weighed an interest in acquiring the Algerian talent during the summer of 2025. Wohlgemuth explained that decisions involve multiple factors, noting that the club may have simply chosen a different path at the time. Maza ultimately moved from Hertha BSC to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2025, while Undav has featured for Stuttgart since 2023.

Ballon d’Or Recognition and Resilience

Beyond his domestic club performances, Maza continues to draw attention on the international stage. Wohlgemuth highlighted the player’s tenacity, pointing out that his willingness to absorb fouls and immediately get back up is a rare character trait in modern football. That upward trajectory was underscored at the Ballon d’Or Gala, where Maza finished ninth in the voting for the Kopa Trophy, awarded for the best U21 talent of the year. Notably, Lionel Messi ranked the Berlin-born midfielder third on his personal ballot for the honor.

Next Fixtures in the Bundesliga Calendar

Bayer Leverkusen returns to domestic action as the league schedule progresses, while VfB Stuttgart prepares for its next fixture in the German top flight. Both clubs face upcoming domestic and European commitments as the autumn schedule intensifies.

More on Ibrahim Maza: PSG reports suggest interest in Ibrahim Maza for January window · Ibrahim Maza Scores in Leverkusen Defeat Against Stuttgart