Today, I’ll tell you about the best Moroccan soccer players of all time who have had a great impact on soccer history. It’s a country known for producing players who may not be superstars, but they consistently compete with top European teams in the UEFA Euros and FIFA World Cups. The Moroccan team is looking excellent in this era. Top Moroccan players like Hakim Ziyech, Achraf Hakimi, and Yassine Bounou are now playing for major European football clubs.
Moroccan fans also desperately wait for the international glory to celebrate with the team. Morocco has consistently produced exceptional talent over the years and has the potential to surprise any team, as demonstrated by their impressive performance in the last FIFA World Cup in Qatar. What do you think about the best football players from Morocco? Or who is the best Moroccan soccer player of all time?
The Morocco team, also known as the Atlas Lions, is overseen by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF). They are affiliated with FIFA and the African Football Confederation. The team has participated in various international tournaments, including the African Cup of Nations and the FIFA World Cup. In this article, we’ll explore some of the greatest Moroccan soccer players ever.
The Best Soccer Players from Morocco
1. Achraf Hakimi
Achraf Hakimi is a Moroccan footballer who plays as a right-back for Paris Saint-Germain. He was born on November 4, 1998, in Spain, but his parents are from Morocco. He is also considered one of the best in the world. From 2016 to 2021, he played for many different clubs at the club level, but he is playing for Paris Saint-Germain right now.
His playing style is offensive; that’s why he was picked by the national team in 2016. He has competed in two FIFA World Cups and three African Cup of Nations tournaments. He still continues to play for the national team. His career information is listed below:
Year | Team | Appearance |
2016-17 | Real Madrid Castilla | 28 |
2017-20 | Real Madrid | 9 |
2018-20 | Borussia Dortmund (Loan) | 54 |
2020-21 | Inter Milan | 37 |
2021- | Paris Saint Germain | 85 |
International Career:
Year | Team | Appearance |
2016 | Morocco U20 | 2 |
2016 | Morocco U23 | 2 |
2016- | Morocco | 77 |
2. Hakim Ziyech
Hakim Ziyech is a Moroccan footballer who plays as a right winger or an attacking midfielder for Galatasaray. He was born on March 19, 1993, in the Netherlands. He is famous for his unique playing style. He also got the nickname “wizard,” given by his previous club supporters.
He captains the Moroccan national team and represented his country in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Known for his long passes, dribbling skills, technique, and proficiency with free kicks, he stands out on the field. He played for various clubs, such as Ajax and Chelsea FC. His career information is listed below:
Club Career:
Year | Team | Appearance |
2012-13 | Heerenveen II | 33 |
2012-14 | Heerenveen | 36 |
2014-16 | Twente | 68 |
2016-20 | Ajax | 112 |
2020-24 | Chelsea | 64 |
2023-24 | Galatasaray (Loan) | 18 |
2024- | Galatasaray | 0 |
International Career:
Year | Team | Appearance |
2012-13 | Netherlands U20 | 3 |
2013-14 | Netherlands U21 | 3 |
2015- | Morocco | 62 |
3. Youssef El-Arabi
Youssef El-Arabi is a Moroccan footballer who plays as a striker for Olympiacos. He was born on February 3, 1987, in France. He played most of his club football at Granada, where he scored 45 goals in 134 games. He chose to represent Morocco over France at the international level. He played in three African Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup tournaments for the national team.
He was also nominated as an African Player of the Year in 2013. He is a good all-around player because of his dribbling skills, technique, and shooting. He got experience playing in different countries at the club level. His career information is listed below:
Club Career:
Year | Team | Appearance |
2008-11 | Caen | 75 |
2011-12 | Al-Hilal | 21 |
2012-16 | Granada | 130 |
2016-19 | Al-Duhail | 60 |
2019- | Olympiacos | 148 |
International Career:
Year | Team | Appearance |
2010-21 | Morocco | 47 |
4. Sofiane Boufal
Sofiane Boufal is a Moroccan footballer who plays as a winger or attacking midfielder for Al-Rayyan. He was born on September 17, 1993, in France. He played for several club teams, including Southampton FC in England. He made his debut for the national team back in 2016. He played in several African Cups of Nations and FIFA World Cups.
He is famous for his unique playing style, including vision, passing, technique, and dribbling. He is one of the best football players that Morocco has produced over the years. His career information is listed below:
Club Career:
Year | Team | Appearance |
2012-15 | Angers B | 29 |
2012-15 | Angers | 46 |
2015-16 | Lille | 43 |
2016-20 | Southampton | 70 |
2018-19 | Celta (Loan) | 35 |
2020-23 | Anger | 56 |
2023- | Al-Rayyan | 11 |
International Career:
Year | Team | Appearance |
2016- | Morocco | 46 |
5. Yassine Bounou
Yassine Bounou is a Moroccan footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Al-Hilal. He was born on April 5, 1991, in Canada. He is also known as “bono.” He spent the majority of his club career in Spain, where he made over 150 appearances. He debuted internationally in 2013, participating in two FIFA World Cups and four African Cup of Nations tournaments.
Bounou was eligible to represent either Canada or Morocco, but he chose to play for Morocco. He is an excellent goalkeeper with impressive height. Bounou played a crucial role as Morocco made a historic run to the World Cup semi-finals, pulling off key saves, particularly in the Round of 16 against Spain and the quarter-final against Portugal. His career information is listed below:
Club Career:
Year | Team | Appearance |
2010-12 | Wydad Casablanca | 10 |
2012-14 | Atletico Madrid B | 47 |
2012-16 | Atletico Madrid | 0 |
2014-16 | Real Zaragoza (Loan) | 35 |
2016-20 | Girona | 83 |
2019-20 | Sevilla (Loan) | 6 |
2020-23 | Sevilla | 90 |
2023- | Al-Hilal | 31 |
International Career:
Year | Team | Appearance |
2011-12 | Morocco U20 | 4 |
2011-12 | Morocco U23 | 4 |
2013- | Morocco | 67 |
6. Noussair Mazraoui
Noussair Mazraoui is a Moroccan footballer who plays as a full-back for Bayern Munich. He was born on November 14, 1997, in the Netherlands. He is currently playing for Bayern Munich, having previously been with Ajax FC. He made his debut for the national team in 2018. As a right back, he excels in possession-based football and meets all the demands of top European teams.
He played brilliantly in the 2022 World Cup, helping his team reach the semifinals. He also competed in the 2023 African Cup of Nations. His career information is listed below:
Club Career:
Year | Team | Appearance |
2016-18 | Jong Ajax | 56 |
2018-22 | Ajax | 93 |
2022- | Bayern Munich | 38 |
International Career:
Year | Team | Appearance |
2017-18 | Morocco U20 | 3 |
2018- | Morocco | 28 |
7. Ezzaki Badou
Ezzaki Badou is a Moroccan footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He was born on April 2, 1959, in Morocco. Zaki played most of his club football at Wydad Casablanca. In 1986, he was named African Footballer of the Year by France Football. He played in the 1986 FIFA World Cup and four Africa Cup of Nations for the national team.
Since retiring in 1992, he has been coaching various clubs and the national team. At 65, he remains actively involved in the sport, never stepping away from the field. His career information is listed below:
Club Career:
Year | Team | Appearance |
1976-78 | AS Sale | |
1978-86 | Wydad Casablanca | 344 |
1986-92 | Mallorca | 190 |
1992-93 | FUS Rabat |
International Career:
Year | Team | Appearance |
1979-92 | Morocco | 78 |
8. Abderrahmane Mahjoub
Abderrahmane Mahjoub was a French and Moroccan footballer who played as a midfielder. He was born on April 25, 1929, and died on August 31, 2011. He played for both the French and Moroccan national teams and was considered one of the best midfielders of his generation. He was famous for his dominant control in the midfield. His career information is listed below:
Club Career:
Year | Team | Appearance |
1948-51 | US Athletique Casablanca | |
1951-53 | RC Paris | 52 |
1953-54 | Nice | 30 |
1954-60 | RC Paris | 86 |
1960-63 | Montepellier | 99 |
1963-64 | RC Paris | 15 |
1964-68 | Wydad Casablanca |
International Career:
Year | Team | Appearance |
1953-55 | France | 7 |
1960-63 | Morocco | 4 |
9. Aziz Bouderbala
Aziz Bouderbala is a Moroccan footballer who played as a midfielder. He was born on December 26, 1960. He played most of his club football at Wydad Casablanca. He played for the national team 57 times in his career. After scoring 14 goals for the national team, he became the 10th-highest scorer in Morocco’s history. He was also part of the Moroccan national team that reached the 1986 FIFA World Cup. His career information is listed below:
Club Career:
Year | Team | Appearance |
1977-84 | Wydad Casablanca | 215 |
1984-88 | Sion | 88 |
1988-90 | Racing Club Paris | 49 |
1990-92 | Lyon | 54 |
1992-93 | Estoril | 24 |
1993-95 | St. Gallen | 34 |
International Career:
Year | Team | Appearance |
1979-92 | Morocco | 57 |
10. Sofyan Ambrabat
Sofyan Ambrabat is a Moroccan footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Fiorentina. He was born on August 21, 1996, in the Netherlands. He played most of his club football in Fiorentina. He debuted for the national team in 2017 and played in two FIFA World Cups and two African Cups of Nations.
He was born in the Netherlands and initially played for the Dutch national team at the youth level in 2010. However, he switched allegiance to Morocco in 2013 and has represented Morocco at both youth and senior levels since then. His career information is listed below:
Club Career:
Year | Team | Appearance |
2014-17 | Utrecht | 42 |
2017-18 | Feyenoord | 21 |
2018-20 | Club Brugge | 25 |
2019-20 | Hellas Verona (Loan) | 34 |
2020- | Fiorentina | 83 |
2023-24 | Manchester United (Loan) | 21 |
International Career:
Year | Team | Appearance |
2010-11 | Netherlands U15 | 4 |
2013 | Morocco U17 | 3 |
2017- | Morocco | 57 |