Morocco’s Bilal El Khannouss Earns Spot in CIES U23 Top 100

Moroccan international Bilal El Khannouss continues his steady rise on the global stage. In April, the attacking midfielder was included in the Top 100 Under-23 players worldwide, according to the Football Observatory (CIES).

The Moroccan midfielder, now at VfB Stuttgart after coming through KRC Genk, has been on the radar for a while. This latest ranking confirms it.

His consistency and playing time stand out. Between April 2023 and April 2024, he ranked 6th globally among U20 players, logging over 4,480 minutes, a sign of early maturity and trust from his coaches.

From a market perspective, his rise has also been notable. In both 2023 and 2024, he featured among the Top 100 U23 players with the highest transfer value, reaching as high as 61st worldwide.

A playmaker profile that stands out

Beyond raw numbers, CIES assessed his technical impact. During his breakthrough period in Belgium, El Khannouss ranked as the best U20 attacking midfielder in his category.

Blessed with vision, composure, and cleam passing skills, he operates as a true orchestrator, dictating tempo and linking play across the pitch.

The 21-year-old’s club progress has matched what he’s done internationally. His international career has already proven successful, as he played a role in Morocco’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title. 

Earlier, he also helped secure a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, proving his importance within a talented generation.

Individually, his time in Belgium was equally impressive, earning him the “Best Young Player” award twice (2023 and 2024) before his move to Germany.

Read also: Stuttgart Exercise €18 Million Buy Option for Bilal El Khannouss

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