Nader El-Jindaoui
“I am a footballer”: The Tiktok star who shot Hertha into the quarter-finals
Berlin’s Nader Jindaoui scores in the penalty shootout to give the team a 3-2 lead
© Uwe Koch/Eibner press photo/ / Picture Alliance
Seven years Nader El-Jindaoui worked towards his professional debut and took his fans with him on Tiktok and Instagram. On Wednesday evening he promptly shot his hometown club Hertha BSC into the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup.
After Hertha BSC’s cup win against Hamburger SV, the name of a substitute offensive player who made his professional debut was shouted loudest. “Nader, Nader,” 27-year-old Nader El-Jindaoui heard from many mouths as he walked down the stairs into the catacombs of the Olympic Stadium with his wife Louisa and daughter Imani.
Because El-Jindaoui is not only a footballer, but also an internet star. He has two million followers Instagram. 1.75 million have subscribed to the couple’s YouTube channel, where they have been providing insights into their lives for years.
But on Wednesday the offensive player was the focus as a professional footballer. “I still don’t realize it,” he said. “This is incredible. I’ve fought for this my whole life.”
Nader El-Jindaoui: From the regional league to the DFB quarter-finals
He moved to Hertha in the summer of 2022, but only played in competitive games for the U23s. Until coach Pal Dardai sent him onto the field in the 80th minute of the game on Wednesday. He made it 3-3 with a change of wing and then converted another penalty in the penalty shootout with great confidence. “At the end of the day it was football,” said the Berliner. “Even if some people like to say, I’m an influencer. I’m a footballer.”
There was also praise from Dardai. “When he trains with us, he trains for his life. I honored that,” he said. “Hands up whoever says they don’t have any balls.” In addition to his sporting value, the 27-year-old also has economic value for Hertha. Last year he is said to have boosted jersey sales and the prospect of his professional debut on Wednesday brought more people to the Olympic Stadium.