Ayoub El Kaabi began his working life as a teenage apprentice carpenter in the Mediouna district of Casablanca, a trade he pursued after leaving school at age 15. He transitioned from manual labor to professional sports, eventually becoming a prolific striker on the international stage for the Morocco national team and Greek club Olympiacos.
Early Career and Development
Born on 25 June 1993, El Kaabi spent his youth playing in the Derb Milla neighborhood. His initial technical skills were sharpened at the local Hay Khadija district club before scouts from Racing de Casablanca identified his physical presence and aptitude. He signed his first professional contract with the club in 2014 at age 21. His versatility saw him deployed as a left-back and a defensive midfielder before coaching staff moved him to a forward position, a role in which he excelled. He contributed to the club securing promotion to the Botola Pro.
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El Kaabi transferred to RS Berkane in 2017 after finishing the previous season as the top scorer in Botola 2 with 25 goals. He secured the 2018 Moroccan Throne Cup with the team. Following this, he had stints at Hebei China Fortune, where he debuted in 2018, and Wydad AC, where he was the league's top scorer in 2021 with 18 goals. He subsequently joined the Turkish club Hatayspor, but the organization withdrew from competition following the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake. He concluded the 2022–23 season with Al Sadd SC in Qatar.
Olympiacos and European Success
Upon joining Olympiacos in 2023, El Kaabi achieved significant statistical records in UEFA competitions. In the 2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League, he scored 11 goals in the knockout phase, leading the team to a victory over Fiorentina in the final. This win marked the first major European trophy for a Greek club. His domestic success in Greece includes winning the Super League 1 title and the Greek Cup. He also finished as a joint top scorer in the 2024–25 UEFA Europa League.
International Representation
Since his debut in 2018, El Kaabi has represented Morocco in multiple global and continental tournaments. His record includes appearances in the 2018 and 2026 FIFA World Cup, as well as three Africa Cup of Nations events. His international trophy collection includes the 2018 and 2020 African Nations Championship, where he set a record with nine goals during the 2018 tournament, and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Fast facts
- Born: 25 June 1993, Casablanca, Morocco
- First professional club: Racing de Casablanca
- 2018 African Nations Championship top scorer: 9 goals
- 2023–24 Europa Conference League winner: Olympiacos
- Transfer fee to Hebei China Fortune: €6.5 million
- Languages spoken: Arabic, Berber
- International debut: 2018
Questions readers ask
What was Ayoub El Kaabi’s profession before football?
He worked as an apprentice carpenter in the Mediouna district of Casablanca.
Which major European trophy did El Kaabi win with Olympiacos?
He won the 2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League, scoring the winning goal in the final against Fiorentina.
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