PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anass Salah-Eddine |
| Date of Birth | 18/01/2002 (Age: 24) |
| Place of Birth | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Nationality | Moroccan |
| Height | 1.81 m |
| Weight | 66 kg |
| Position | Left-Back / Defensive Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Squad Number | #34 |
| Current Club | PSV Eindhoven |
| Previous Clubs | Ajax, Twente, Roma |
| International Caps | 13 |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2026 |
The Frozen Moment
The Toronto Stadium was buzzing. July 4, 2026. Morocco and the Netherlands were locked in a tense World Cup Round of 32 clash, and the Atlas Lions were fighting for a place in the quarter-finals.
Anass Salah-Eddine sat on the bench, watching. The 24-year-old left-back had been a squad member throughout the tournament, making substitute appearances against Brazil and Haiti, but had not yet earned a start. He had been an unused substitute against Scotland and in the Round of 32 clash against the Netherlands.
His World Cup had been a taste of the biggest stage—214 minutes across four appearances, a 92.8% pass completion rate, and the experience of competing against the best in the world. But as Morocco’s historic run continued, Salah-Eddine knew his moment would come.
The boy from Amsterdam, who had been eligible for both the Netherlands and Morocco, had chosen to represent his ancestral homeland. He had made his senior debut for Morocco in 2025 and won the Africa Cup of Nations that same year. Now, he was part of a team that had reached the World Cup quarter-finals, becoming the first African and Arab team to do so. His story was only just beginning.
Origins
Anass Salah-Eddine was born on January 18, 2002, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He grew up in the Dutch capital, developing his football skills in one of Europe’s most renowned footballing nations. He was eligible to represent both the Netherlands and Morocco at the international level, and he initially represented the Netherlands at the U17, U20, and U21 levels. He was part of the Netherlands U17 team that won the UEFA U17 European Championship in 2019, making six appearances.
His youth career began at AZ Alkmaar before he joined Ajax’s academy in 2018. At Ajax, he progressed through the youth ranks, playing for Ajax U19 and winning the U19 Divisie 1 and the Jeugdcup U19 in 2018-19. He also played for Jong Ajax in the Eerste Divisie, making 33 appearances and scoring 2 goals across three seasons.
The European Forge
Ajax (2021-2024):
Salah-Eddine made his Eredivisie debut for Ajax in 2021-22, making 1 appearance. The following season, he was loaned to Twente, where he made 14 league appearances. In 2023-24, he split time between Ajax and Twente, making 6 league appearances for Ajax and 6 for Twente on loan.
Twente (2022-2023, 2024-2025):
His most productive spell came at Twente in the 2024-25 season. He made 18 Eredivisie appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists. He also played 8 Europa League matches, providing 2 assists. His performances earned him recognition as a reliable left-back capable of contributing in both attack and defense.
Roma (2025):
In February 2025, Salah-Eddine moved to Roma, making 3 Serie A appearances and providing 1 assist. His time in Italy was brief but valuable, exposing him to the tactical rigor of Serie A.
PSV Eindhoven (Loan, 2025-2026):
In August 2025, Salah-Eddine joined PSV Eindhoven on loan from Roma, with a purchase option. He won the Eredivisie title with PSV in 2025-26, adding a second Dutch league title to his collection. He made 17 league appearances and 7 Champions League appearances. His performances at PSV earned him a place in Morocco’s World Cup squad.
Career Totals:
- 107 career appearances, 3 goals, 8 assists
- 2 Eredivisie titles (2021/22 with Ajax, 2025/26 with PSV)
- Africa Cup of Nations winner (2025 with Morocco)
- FIFA Arab Cup winner (2025 with Morocco)
- UEFA U17 European Championship winner (2019 with Netherlands U17)
The Anatomy of His Game
Salah-Eddine is a versatile left-back defined by his composure, passing ability, and tactical intelligence. He is capable of playing as a left-back or as a defensive midfielder, making him a valuable squad player.
In Possession:
Salah-Eddine is a composed passer. At the 2026 World Cup, he completed 92.8% of his passes, an elite figure for a defender. In the Champions League 2025-26 season, he recorded a pass completion rate of 83.3%. He is comfortable building from the back and contributes to build-up play.
Out of Possession:
Salah-Eddine is a disciplined defender. In the Eredivisie, he records 2.23 tackles and 0.91 interceptions per 90 minutes. His positional awareness and ability to read the game make him a reliable presence at left-back.
Physical Attributes:
Standing at 1.81 meters, Salah-Eddine has the ideal build for a modern full-back. He is agile and capable of covering significant ground during matches.
Psychological Edge:
Salah-Eddine’s career is defined by his versatility and his willingness to adapt. He has represented the Netherlands at youth levels before committing to Morocco, a decision that has been rewarded with a World Cup appearance. His trophy collection—including an Africa Cup of Nations, an Eredivisie title, and a U17 European Championship—demonstrates his winning mentality.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Pass Completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eredivisie | 17 | 1,092 | 0 | 0 | 89% |
| UEFA Champions League | 7 | 510 | 0 | 0 | 83.3% |
| FIFA World Cup | 4 | 214 | 0 | 0 | 92.8% |
| TOTAL | 28 | 1,816 | 0 | 0 | — |
TABLE B: Career (Top Leagues)
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | PSV | Eredivisie | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025/26 | PSV | Champions League | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024/25 | Twente | Eredivisie | 18 | 2 | 2 |
| 2024/25 | Roma | Serie A | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 2022/23 | Twente | Eredivisie | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021/22 | Ajax | Eredivisie | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | — | — | 107 | 3 | 8 |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 4 | 0 | 0 | Quarter-Final |
| Africa Cup of Nations 2025 | 4 | 0 | 1 | Winner |
| FIFA Arab Cup 2025 | — | — | — | Winner |
| Morocco Senior Career | 13 | 0 | 1 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | U17 European Champion | With Netherlands U17 |
| 2022 | Eredivisie Title | With Ajax |
| 2025 | Africa Cup of Nations Winner | With Morocco |
| 2025 | FIFA Arab Cup Winner | With Morocco |
| 2025 | Serie A Debut | With Roma |
| 2026 | Eredivisie Title | With PSV |
| 2026 | World Cup Debut | With Morocco |
| 2026 | World Cup Quarter-Finalist | With Morocco |
The Present Tense
Anass Salah-Eddine is 24 years old and at a pivotal stage in his career. He is a squad player for PSV Eindhoven and a member of Morocco’s 2026 World Cup squad.
The PSV Story:
Salah-Eddine joined PSV on loan from Roma in August 2025 and won the Eredivisie title in 2025-26. He made 17 league appearances and 7 Champions League appearances. His loan deal ends on June 30, 2026, after which he will return to Roma. PSV have an option to buy him permanently.
The World Cup Campaign:
Salah-Eddine was named in Mohamed Ouahbi’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. He made four appearances, coming on as a substitute against Brazil and Haiti, and also featured against the Netherlands. Morocco reached the quarter-finals, where they were defeated by France.
International Record:
Salah-Eddine has 13 caps for Morocco and has provided 1 assist. He won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 and the FIFA Arab Cup in 2025 with Morocco. He made his World Cup debut in 2026.
The Transfer Story:
Salah-Eddine’s loan at PSV ends on June 30, 2026. He will return to Roma, but PSV have an option to buy him permanently. His market value is estimated at €8.9-11 million.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Salah-Eddine represents the modern story of footballing identity. Born in Amsterdam to Moroccan parents, he had the choice to represent the Netherlands or Morocco. He chose Morocco, a decision that has been rewarded with an Africa Cup of Nations title and a World Cup appearance. He is one of two Moroccan representatives in the Eredivisie at the 2026 World Cup, alongside Ismael Saibari.
His trophy collection is already impressive: an Africa Cup of Nations, a FIFA Arab Cup, two Eredivisie titles, and a U17 European Championship. At 24, he has already achieved more than many players do in a career.
The Verdict from the Camp
Mohamed Ouahbi, Morocco head coach:
Ouahbi has selected Salah-Eddine for the 2026 World Cup, valuing his versatility and experience in European football.
Statistic:
Salah-Eddine has won the Africa Cup of Nations, the FIFA Arab Cup, two Eredivisie titles, and the U17 European Championship.
Statistic:
Salah-Eddine has 13 caps for Morocco and made four appearances at the 2026 World Cup.
Statistic:
Salah-Eddine’s pass completion rate at the 2026 World Cup was 92.8%.
Where Next?
Anass Salah-Eddine is 24 years old and has a bright future ahead of him. He is under contract with Roma until June 2028, but his loan at PSV Eindhoven ends on June 30, 2026. PSV have an option to buy him permanently.
For Morocco, Salah-Eddine is a key squad player. His versatility across left-back and defensive midfield makes him a valuable asset for Mohamed Ouahbi. At 24, he has many years ahead of him and could become a regular fixture for the Atlas Lions.
From Amsterdam to Ajax, from Twente to Roma to PSV, Anass Salah-Eddine’s journey is a story of talent, versatility, and a deep connection to his Moroccan roots. The Amsterdam-born defender who chose the Atlas Lions is a World Cup quarter-finalist and an Africa Cup of Nations champion. And his story is far from over.
