Mahmoud Dahoud

Borussia Mönchengladbach

Mahmoud Dahoud began his career playing at junior level for the Langenfeld football club Germania Reusrath and Fortuna Düsseldorf before signing for Gladbach at the age of 14 in 2010. He then spent the next five seasons developing in Gladbach's academy before breaking into the first team in 2014.

2014–15 season

On 27 August 2014, Dahoud was handed his first team debut by manager Lucien Favre in a 7–0 Europa League play-off win over FK Sarajevo, coming off the bench in the 55th minute to replace Christoph Kramer. Just a week prior to making his first appearance for Gladbach, Dahoud had signed his first professional contract, agreeing a deal to keep him at the club until June 2018. He only made two more senior appearances over the course of the season, one in the Europa League against Apollon and the other at the end of the season against Borussia Dortmund to make his Bundesliga debut. Upon making his debut, Dahoud became the first Syrian-born player to ever play in the Bundesliga.

2015–16 season

Following the sacking of Favre early in the 2015–16 Bundesliga season, Dahoud saw his game time increase with "Die Fohlen", establishing himself as a key figure in new manager André Schubert's midfield. He scored his first goal for the club on 23 September 2015 in Schubert's debut game in charge, netting Gladbach's fourth goal in a 4–2 win over Augsburg. The week prior to Favre's departure, Dahoud made his Champions League…

Germany

Having previously represented Germany at U18 and U19 level, Dahoud made his debut for the Germany U21 team as a substitute in a 4–1 win over the Faroe Islands on 24 March 2016, before making his full debut a week later against Russia. The following year, he was included in Germany's 23-man squad for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Poland. Germany were ultimately crowned champions, beating Spain 1–0 in the final to claim the title. Dahoud is also eligible to represent Syria, though he stated that he was not interested in doing so, and that he dreamed of playing for Germany. Dahoud made his debut for the German senior team on 7 October 2020 against Turkey in a friendly.

Syria

In March 2024, Dahoud was called up to the Syria national football team for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Myanmar. Hours before their World Cup qualifier against Myanmar on 26 March 2024, Dahoud left the Syrian team camp due to his reported dissatisfaction with the conditions and unfulfilled promises of the Syrian FA, meanwhile the latter stated that he left because they were unable to fulfill his demands conveyed by his agent.

Allegiance to Germany and return to Syria

After not making an appearance for the Syrian national team, Dahoud announced in September 2024 his intent to switch allegiance back to Germany, stating, "I grew up in Germany and would love to play for my home country. If I can offer up some performances and get a call…

Club

As of match played 16 May 2026

International

As of match played 11 November 2020

Dahoud was born in Amuda, a town in northeast Syria, and is of Kurdish descent. He was taken to Germany by his parents in 1996, who fled from the Assad regime. In an interview with the official Bundesliga website, he revealed that his footballing idol is French legend Zinedine Zidane. He has spoken German and Arabic since childhood. Following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Dahoud posted on social media that he was a "son and brother of the Syrian people and Syria" and congratulated his country and people for achieving "a victorious and free Syria for all."