MOROCCO : Best U17 Youth Player: Morocco’s Ilies Belmokhtar Named Golden Kid

Ilies is making a name for himself in the football landscape, especially with the Atlas Cubs.

 Morocco’s rising star Ilies Belmokhtar has been named the best U17 youth player competing in France at the inaugural Golden Kid Awards.

Le Monde Du Foot reported that Belmokhtar is taking home a well-deserved recognition, rewarding his exceptional 2024-2025 season.

“For this inaugural edition, Ilies Belmokhtar truly shone. Gifted with genuine tactical maturity, he was one of the key architects of AS Monaco’s success in youth competitions this season,” the same source said.

Commenting on his new achievement, Belmokhtar commented that the award is a “great pride.”

“Especially to my parents, I hope they are proud of me,” he said .

The same sports-focused website recalled the triumphs the Atlas Cub has achieved with Morocco , including his U17 Africa Cup of Nations win in April.

The Golden Kid awards seek to recognize the best young developing players in France. The initiative is the fruit of L’Equipe journalist Loic Tanzi and streamer Isoline Almeida.

In May, Ilies Belmokhtar signed his first professional contract with AS Monaco.

Belmokhtar was born in Ivry-sur-Seine in 2008, and joined the AS Monaco Academy in 2023.

In April, the Atlas Cub was among the five players from the national U-17 team selected for the Best XI of the Under-17 AFCON in its 15th edition.

In addition to Belmokhtar, the players chosen for the Best XI include: goalkeeper Chouaib Bellaarouch, right-back Moncef Zekri, central defender Driss Aït Chiekh, and attacking midfielder Abdellah Ouazzane.

Morocco’s AFCON  triumph came after a dramatic 0-0 draw against Mali in the final, followed by a 4-2 win in the penalty shootout, securing their spot in football history. 

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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MOROCCO’s Ilias Akhomach Ranks Among Top 3 Arab Dribblers in Europe

The new Atlas Lion played in Morocco’s first friendly game against Angola and is expected to be present in the second friendly against Mauritania on March 26.

Moroccan international footballer Ilias Akhomach is one of the top 3 most successful Arab dribblers in Europe’s top 5 leagues this season, according to the sports statistics website Sofascore.

The Villarreal CF’s right-winger has no fewer than 39 successful dribbles and comes after Algeria’s Rayan Ait-Nouri with 45 successful dribbles and Jordan’s Mousa Al-Taamari with 40 dribbles.

For the young Moroccan, who is participating in his debut season with the Spanish club, this is a huge honor. His coach Marcelino Garcia Toral has confidence in him because of his rapid rise to the starting lineup.

The 19-year-old player was recently called up by  Walid Regragui, the Moroccan national football team’s coach, to take part in the Atlas Lions’ training camp. 

On his official Instagram account, Akhomach expressed his joy over his selection to defend the Moroccan colors, saying: “Thanks God the dream has come true. I am proud of wearing the national jersey.”

Speaking to the media, the Moroccan player stated: “I always give my all when I play football … Since I was a child, I have always dreamt of being here and the opportunity has come now.” 

Akhomach made his debut in the friendly match against Angola, replacing Eliesse Ben Seghir in the 88th minute.

The game ended with a 1-0 victory in favor of Morocco with Angola’s defender David Carmo scoring an own-goal in the 72nd minute.

Akhomach is also expected to be back in the second friendly game against Mauritania on March 26, which will take place at the Adrar stadium in Agadir at 10 p.m.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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Ilias Akhomach during the Morocco-Angola match

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