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What you need to know about Harambee Stars prospect Linton Maina's Kenyan father and German father
Linton Maina may be one of the most important players for Bundesliga-promotion hopefuls FC Köln today, but his journey to professional football might never have happened without the influence of his parents.
Born and raised in Berlin to a Kenyan father and a German mother, Antje, Maina began his footballing journey at a young age. He broke into the professional scene at Hannover 96, where he spent eight years before joining FC Köln in 2022 at the age of 22.
Since then, Maina has experienced regular action in both the Bundesliga and the 2. Bundesliga. At the time of writing, he has scored three goals and provided eight assists in 20 Bundesliga 2 games, helping Köln reach the top of the league with 37 points. He has also added two goals and two assists in the DFB Pokal.
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But who exactly are his parents, and what role did they play in shaping his career? Pulse Sports delves deeper into the story behind his upbringing.
Who is Linton Maina’s mother?
Linton Maina was born to a Kenyan father and a German mother, which makes him eligible to represent the Kenya national football team, Harambee Stars, despite having played for Germany at the youth level.
In a 2018 interview with German sports magazine BILD, his mother, Antje, shared insights into raising her talented son and how football was always an integral part of his life.
“Even at the age of one, Linton could no longer be separated from the ball,” said Antje, who at the time was working in the office of Berlin's largest children's and inclusive sports club, SV Pfeffersport.
“In kindergarten, he couldn't pass up football. He had barely turned four when he started playing at SV Pfeffersport. His first coach was Lucio Geral, with whom he still keeps in close contact today. Lucio and I were spectators in Bielefeld and were there live for Linton's first goal against Paderborn.”
Antje herself played a role in his football education, revealing, “I also trained Linton once.” He stayed at SV Pfeffersport for a few years before moving to SV Empor Berlin. “It was important to us to have him here for as long as possible,” she added.
In 2014, Maina moved to Hannover, a decision his mother admitted was tough but necessary for his growth.
“It was the right decision to let Linton move to Hannover, even if it was with a heavy heart. With Christoph Dabrowski, Steve Cherundolo, and Dennis Spiegel as his coaches, I am eternally grateful for their work with Linton.
“They played an enormous role in his development, and without them, he might not have come so far, despite his talent.”
Maina’s early talent earned him comparisons to Bayern Munich and Germany star Leroy Sané, something that Antje found unsettling.
“As a mother, I would prefer if there were no comparisons with Leroy Sané.”
Who is Linton Maina’s father?
While his mother played the biggest role in his upbringing, Maina has also acknowledged his Kenyan roots. In a separate interview with Kicker, Maina revealed that his parents had separated, and his father was not deeply involved in his childhood, though they remained in contact.
“My father lives in Berlin, but I only have contact with him now and then. My mother raised me and my older sister on her own, and she is very important to me,” Maina said in 2018.
“She gave everything for us. Even though we weren't rich, it seemed to me as if we were. She is there at every game today. I try to give her as much back as possible.”
With his blend of German football education and Kenyan heritage, Linton Maina is a player to watch.
Whether he chooses to represent Harambee Stars or continues his path in German football, one thing is clear—his journey has been shaped by the sacrifices and support of his mother, and the connection he still holds to his father’s Kenyan roots.
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