Malek Fakhro


Malek Issam Fakhro is a footballer who plays as a striker for German club Hallescher FC. Born in Germany, he plays for the Lebanon national team.

Early life

Fakhro's parents left Lebanon in 1985 due to the ongoing civil war. He grew up with six other siblings in the district of Essen, Germany. After finishing secondary school, he started an apprenticeship in automotive mechatronics, though his primary focus remained football.
Fakhro started playing for the youth team of Rot-Weiss Essen aged six. Initially a defender, he moved up to the forward positions while playing for the under-12s. He joined Schwarz-Weiß Essen's youth setup in the under-14s, and was integrated into the senior team as an under-19 player.

Club career

Following an Oberliga match between SW Essen and SV Straelen in May 2020, Fakhro's performance impressed Straelen's president, prompting his signing shortly after. In his final season with SW Essen, he was named the club's "Player of the Year", having recorded 34 goals and 21 assists over five senior seasons, before departing after nine years with the team. He then joined newly promoted Regionalliga side SV Straelen for the 2020–21 season, scoring nine goals in 27 appearances.
After one season at VfB Lübeck in 2021–22, in which he scored nine goals in all competitions, Fakhro joined 1. FC Bocholt in summer 2022. He scored 30 goals in his two seasons at 1. FC, and finished as second-best top scorer of the 2023–24 season with 15 goals.
On 4 June 2024, Fakhro joined MSV Duisburg alongside his former 1. FC Bocholt head coach, Dietmar Hirsch. Over the course of the season, he scored 10 goals and provided four assists in 33 appearances, including three braces against Borussia Mönchengladbach II, FC Gütersloh, and FC [Schalke 04 II|Schalke 04 II]. Fakhro helped MSV Duisburg to a first-place finish in the 2024–25 Regionalliga West, which secured their promotion to the 3. Liga. He departed the club at the end of the season.
On 25 June 2025, Fakhro moved to Regionalliga club Hallescher FC.

International career

Born and raised in Essen, Germany to Lebanese parents, Fakhro is eligible to represent both Germany and Lebanon internationally.
Fakhro was first called up to the Lebanon national team on 5 November 2024, for friendly games against Thailand and Myanmar. He made his debut on 14 November, playing as a starter in a 0–0 draw to Thailand. Against Myanmar on 19 November, Fakhro scored his first international goal, securing a 3–2 win for Lebanon. On 25 March 2025, Fakhro scored two goals in a 5–0 win against Brunei in the 2027 [AFC Asian Cup qualification – third round|2027 Asian Cup qualifiers].

Career statistics

Club

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, Myanmar1–03–2Friendly
2Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar1–05–02027 [AFC Asian Cup qualification – third round|2027 Asian Cup qualification]
3Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar3–05–02027 Asian Cup qualification
4Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar1–04–02027 Asian Cup qualification
5Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei1–03–02027 Asian Cup qualification

Honours

VfB Lübeck
MSV Duisburg