The young German’s decision to stay with the cathedral city team takes on special significance. His name was at the center of the transfer market, with Borussia Dortmund seriously considering his case before finally turning to the Greek, Giannis Konstantelias and Leipzig appearing ready to claim his signature.

El Mala, however, chose a different path. He renewed his collaboration with Cologne until 2031 and, most importantly, agreed to shoulder a symbol: the jersey with the “10”.

The announcement had something of a theatrical performance. “Number 13 is leaving you,” he said in front of the camera, leaving for a few moments the feeling of farewell. And then came the twist: “But your new number ten remains”.

Behind this phrase lies almost the entire football mythology of FC Cologne. Because before everyone else, there was Wolfgang Overath. One of the most intelligent midfielders to have ever graced German football, a left-footed playmaker with a rare sense of space and unparalleled technique. From 1962 to 1977 he did not wear another team jersey. Cologne was his football home, the team with which he won the first Bundesliga in history, in 1963-64.

Overath was not just a “number ten”. He was the brain of an era. And in 1974 he found himself on top of the world, a key figure in the West Germany team that won the World Cup. His relationship with Cologne became a point of reference for the concept of loyalty to a club.

Decades later, the “10” found a different expression in Lukas Podolski. A child of Cologne, an idol of the stands, a footballer who was emotionally connected to the “Goats” like few others. The love was such that after his departure, the “10” was essentially protected while he continued to play.

And now comes El Mala.

Since 2024 in Cologne, he has already begun to turn talent into numbers, with 13 goals and five assists in 36 appearances. Earlier, in Victoria Cologne, he had recorded 14 goals and six assists in 45 matches.

Fast, unpredictable, with courage in one-on-one and that youthful impudence that characterizes great attacking talents, El Mala has not yet chosen the big leap. He has chosen to grow where he already feels important.

And perhaps that is the most beautiful element of the story. Overath made the "10" history. Podolski made it an emotion. Said El Mala is now called upon to make it the future.