Defender Mohammed Tolba has recovered from his second cruciate ligament rupture and was able to play through for the first time in the VfL Bochum U21. Now he is hoping for his Bundesliga debut soon.

At 20 years of age, Mohammed Tolba is still one of the youngest players in the VfL Bochum professional squad. But the serious injuries that the young talent has already suffered and successfully overcome are more than some footballers experience in their entire career.

In January, the defender tore his cruciate ligament in a test match – the second time this has happened in his young career. He was out of action for the Bundesliga club for months.

Nevertheless, even this setback never made Tolba lose faith in himself, and he fought his way back onto the pitch. Former managing director of sports Patrick Fabian, who suffered four cruciate ligament tears during his playing career, also helped him mentally. “Before he left the club, I often talked to him. When it comes to injuries, he has been through everything,” says Tolba, emphasizing that he received support from all areas of VfL: ”Everyone at the club stood behind me and encouraged me, so I just didn’t give up and now I’m finally back on the pitch.”

In October, the defender made his comeback for Bochum’s U21 team. In the most recent 3-0 win by the Oberliga front-runners against SG Wattenscheid 09, he was finally able to play the full 90 minutes again for the first time and even scored the important 1-0 lead goal after a corner as a central defender. “It was an indescribable feeling. 6,000 spectators in the stadium – amazing for the whole team. Since we are currently top of the table, the atmosphere was also good. Everyone was fired up and ready to go. We took that with us and got the three points,” explained Tolba.
At the beginning of 2023, the Essen-born player with Egyptian roots was presented with his first professional contract. At the time, the then captain of the Bochum U19s signed a contract until 2025. “He has once again proven that he can play football and is a good defender. He is an incredibly talented boy who hasn’t played for two years,” praises U21 coach Heiko Butscher.

You just need game time and I’m giving him that. He should keep it up for six or seven games and then he’ll be back to full strength

Heiko Butscher on Tolba
“You just need game time and he’ll get that from me. He should now play six or seven games and then he’ll be right back in the thick of things.”

Now, Tolba has to get back into his usual routines and continue to prove himself. With a big goal in mind: “I want to continue to show my talent this season and hope that I will soon be able to make my Bundesliga debut,” the defender revealed.

If he stays on the ball consistently over the next few weeks, VfL head coach Dieter Hecking will sooner or later have no choice but to call the gem up to the matchday squad.