PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ayoub El Kaabi |
| Date of Birth | 25/06/1993 (Age: 33) |
| Place of Birth | Casablanca, Morocco |
| Nationality | Moroccan |
| Height | 1.82 m / 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight | 76 kg |
| Position | Striker / Forward |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Squad Number | #20 |
| Current Club | Olympiacos |
| Previous Clubs | Racing Casablanca, RS Berkane, Hebei China Fortune, Wydad Casablanca, Hatayspor |
| International Caps | 70+ |
| International Goals | 25+ |
| World Cup Appearances | 2018, 2026 |
| Nicknames | “El Kaabicycle” |
The Frozen Moment
The ball hung in the air, and Ayoub El Kaabi knew exactly what he was going to do. His body twisted, his leg extended, and he connected with the sweetest of overhead kicks. Another bicycle kick goal. Another moment of magic.
For the Moroccan striker, the bicycle kick has become his signature. His teammates have lost count of how many he has scored, but the fans have given them a name: “El Kaabicycle.” It’s a tribute to a player who has defied every expectation, who started his professional career at 23, who worked as a carpenter to support his family, and who has now scored against some of the biggest clubs in the world.
The 2026 World Cup was the culmination of his remarkable journey. He had waited eight years for his second World Cup, having been part of Morocco’s squad in Russia in 2018. Now, he was in North America, leading the line for the Atlas Lions, a team that had become genuine contenders.
At the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025, he had been a key figure, scoring three goals and helping Morocco win the tournament. He had proven that age was just a number, that a late start to professional football was no barrier to greatness. The boy from the Casablanca slums, who had left school at 15 to work, had become a national hero.
Origins: From Carpenter’s Assistant to Professional Footballer
Ayoub El Kaabi was born on June 25, 1993, in Casablanca, Morocco, into a modest family living in a poor neighborhood. Money was desperately short. At just 15 years old, he left school to work as a carpenter’s assistant to support himself.
“I was born into a modest family. To support myself, I had to learn a trade,” El Kaabi later recalled.
Football was not a priority; survival was. He played in the courtyards and amateur leagues, hoping for a chance to escape the cycle of poverty. His friends noticed his talent and persuaded him to join their amateur neighborhood team.
Until he was 21, El Kaabi played as a left-back in regional competitions. He was a decent defender, but his goalscoring instincts were undeniable. Scouts from the local second-division club Racing Casablanca noticed him and offered him his first professional contract.
His path to professional football was unconventional and late—he didn’t make his professional debut until the age of 23. He initially joined Racing Casablanca in Morocco’s second division and later moved to RS Berkane in the top flight. His career was kickstarted when he won the Botola Pro top scorer award, scoring 25 goals in 33 matches and helping Racing win promotion.
The European Forge: China, Turkey, and the Olympiacos Breakthrough
El Kaabi’s performances earned him a move to China, where he became the most expensive sale in Moroccan league history at the time. He joined Hebei China Fortune for €6 million, sharing a dressing room with Javier Mascherano, Ezequiel Lavezzi, and Gervinho.
His time in China was brief. A loan to Wydad Casablanca was followed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, which forced him out of football for a year. He terminated his contract with Hebei and returned to Wydad, where he won the league and became the top scorer.
In 2022, he finally moved to Europe, joining Hatayspor in the Turkish Super Lig. He became the league’s second top scorer and was given the captain’s armband. But tragedy struck when a devastating earthquake hit Turkey and Syria, killing thousands of people, including Hatayspor player Christian Atsu. El Kaabi’s wife saved his life by suggesting they move to a larger house just days before the quake.
In August 2023, El Kaabi signed for Olympiacos. His first season was a breakthrough: he scored 32 goals in 47 appearances across all competitions and led the club to their first European trophy, netting the winning goal in the Europa Conference League final. He set a record for the most goals scored in a single European campaign (11).
The 2025-26 season was his best yet. He scored 18 goals in 28 Super League appearances, making him the league’s top scorer. In the Champions League, he scored against Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The Anatomy of His Game
El Kaabi is a player defined by his finishing, his aerial ability, and his extraordinary bicycle kicks.
In possession
, his finishing is elite. In the 2025-26 Greek Super League season, he scored 18 goals from 18.62 expected goals, demonstrating his clinical nature. His non-penalty expected goals (npxG) per 90 minutes of 0.64 placed him in the top 99th percentile of Super League players. His goal involvements (goals + assists) were 0.85 per 90 minutes, also in the top 99th percentile. He is a threat from set-pieces and has a powerful shot.
Out of possession
, his work rate is a defining feature. He presses from the front and contributes to the team’s defensive shape. His versatility allows him to play as a central striker or on either wing.
His bicycle kick ability
is his trademark. He has scored at least 14 bicycle-kick goals in his career, and fans now call overhead kicks “El Kaabicycle.” “Every time I turn in the air to score, I try to give a bit of magic to the public. Seeing the supporters happy is priceless,” he said. Achraf Hakimi added: “When Ayoub launches himself, you feel that something special is about to happen.”
His weakness
has been his inconsistency. He has had periods of poor form, but his overall contribution to the team has been significant. His discipline is consistent, with just two yellow cards in the 2025-26 season.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super League Greece | 28 | 2,109 | 18 | 2 | 0.85 G/A per 90 |
| UEFA Champions League | 10 | 722 | 2 | 1 | — |
| Africa Cup of Nations | 7 | 477 | 3 | 1 | — |
| World Cup | 4 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| Total | 49 | 3,188 | 26 | 3 | — |
TABLE B: International Career (as of 2026)
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Senior Caps | 70+ |
| Senior Goals | 25+ |
| Debut | 2017 |
| World Cups | 2018, 2026 |
| Africa Cup of Nations | 2025 (Winner) |
| African Nations Championship | 2018 (Winner) |
TABLE C: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | African Nations Champion | Scored 9 goals in tournament |
| 2024 | Europa Conference League Winner | Scored winning goal in final |
| 2025 | Africa Cup of Nations Winner | Won with Morocco |
| 2025-26 | Greek Super League Top Scorer | 18 goals in 28 appearances |
| 2026 | World Cup Quarter-Finalist | Represented Morocco |
| 2026 | Champions League Goals | Scored vs Barcelona and Real Madrid |
What these figures reveal is a player who has found his best form later in his career. At 33, he is one of the most prolific strikers in Europe, leading the line for both Olympiacos and Morocco. His 18 goals in the Super League in 2025-26 and his 26 goals across all competitions demonstrate his enduring quality.
The Present Tense
The 2026 World Cup was El Kaabi’s second, and likely his last. He was named in Morocco’s 26-man squad for the tournament. He started the group-stage match against Haiti, playing 69 minutes. His tournament came to a premature end in the quarter-finals, as Morocco were eliminated by France.
His club future is secure. He is under contract at Olympiacos and is the club's top scorer. His performances in the Super League and Champions League have made him a key player for the Greek club.
His international career has been defined by his resilience and his ability to perform on the biggest stage. He has won the Africa Cup of Nations, the African Nations Championship, and the Europa Conference League. He has scored against Barcelona and Real Madrid. He is one of the most decorated players in Moroccan history.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, El Kaabi’s story is one of resilience. He left school at 15, worked as a carpenter, and started his professional career at 23. He survived a devastating earthquake in Turkey. He has overcome every obstacle to reach the top of the game.
He is a proud representative of Morocco, and his journey from the Casablanca slums to the World Cup is an inspiration to many. Morocco head coach Walid Regragui said of him: “For the young people of Morocco, who never went to a football academy, whether they’re carpenters or whatever, we must value this kind of person. He’s the kind of person who makes young Moroccans dream.”
His nickname, “El Kaabicycle,” is a symbol of his status as a national hero. He is the man who gave the fans magic, who scored the bicycle kicks, who never gave up on his dream.
The Verdict from the Camp
Walid Regragui, Morocco head coach:
“For the young people of Morocco, who never went to a football academy, whether they’re carpenters or whatever, we must value this kind of person. He’s the kind of person who makes young Moroccans dream, and I’m very proud of him, he’s an exceptional player.”
Achraf Hakimi, Morocco captain:
“When Ayoub launches himself, you feel that something special is about to happen. He has that unique talent to turn any situation into a spectacular goal.”
Ayoub El Kaabi, on his bicycle kicks:
“Every time I turn in the air to score, I try to give a bit of magic to the public. Seeing the supporters happy is priceless.”
Where Next?
Ayoub El Kaabi is 33 years old and at the peak of his powers. He is the Super League’s top scorer, a Europa Conference League winner, an African champion, and a World Cup player. His journey from carpenter to world stage is one of the most remarkable stories in modern football.
His legacy is already secure. He is the player who scored the winning goal in a European final, who led Morocco to Africa Cup of Nations glory, who scored bicycle kicks against some of the best teams in the world. He is the man who never gave up on his dream. The journey from Casablanca to the World Cup has been remarkable. The carpenter’s assistant who started his professional career at 23 is now a national hero. His best years are still ahead.
