Nabil Djellit’s weekly Maghreb FC blog on L’Equipe has become a must-read for followers of North African football. This week, Djellit unveiled his highly anticipated Team of the Season—a best XI drawn from Moroccan, Algerian, and Tunisian players plying their trade across the globe. The selection not only crowns individual excellence but also frames the narratives that shaped a remarkable 2024-25 campaign.
Between the sticks, there is no debate. Yassine Bounou (35, Al Hilal, Morocco) remains the undisputed guardian. The Saudi Pro League has witnessed another vintage season from the shot-stopper, who recorded an impressive 20 clean sheets in 42 appearances across all competitions. His heroics in the FIFA Club World Cup against Real Madrid only added to a legacy that continues to grow. At the Africa Cup of Nations, Bounou’s calm authority and reflexes turned Morocco into the tournament’s tightest defensive unit.
At right-back, Achraf Hakimi (27, PSG, Morocco) collected the African Player of the Year award for 2025, a deserved crown after his stratospheric form helped PSG dominate Ligue 1 and reach the latter stages of the Champions League. Yet this season was not without its bumps. Nagging physical issues dented his rhythm, making his campaign slightly less spectacular than his sextuple Ballon d’Or nomination year. Even so, Hakimi’s margin of superiority is such that he remains the best in the world at his position—a testament to his resilience and relentless attacking threat.
The central defensive pairing blends experience and reliability. Aïssa Mandi (34, Lille, Algeria) rolled back the years to become a true patron at the heart of the LOSC rearguard. Voted player of the season by Lille supporters, the Algerian elder statesman was instrumental in securing Champions League qualification for the club and carried that leadership into the CAN, where he was a key figure for the Fennecs. Beside him, Tunisian Montassar Talbi (27, Lorient) has quietly gone about his business with a level of consistency that makes him one of Ligue 1’s most underrated centre-backs. Dominant aerially and clean in his reading of the game, Talbi’s profile will be essential when Tunisia take to the World Cup stage.
The left flank introduces Rayan Aït-Nouri (24, Manchester City, Algeria). A summer switch from Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Premier League champions generated huge excitement, and the early signs were spectacular at the Club World Cup. However, life under Pep Guardiola is never straightforward. Aït-Nouri has swung between eye-catching displays and quieter periods, often rotating with young Nico O’Reilly. His versatility remains his trump card: for Algeria, coach Vladimir Petkovic has deployed him as a counter-attacking weapon, even pushing him into a more advanced role, where his explosive pace terrifies defences.
The midfield diamond showcases a blend of youthful exuberance and international impact. Ayyoub Bouaddi (18, Lille, Morocco) made headlines not only for his club performances but for his decision to commit internationally to the Atlas Lions. The teenager plays with a calmness that belies his age, offering volume, pressing intensity, and crisp passing. His ceiling is sky-high; improving his output in the final third could elevate him to the world’s elite. Alongside him, Neil El Aynaoui (24, AS Roma, Morocco) earned his spot almost exclusively on the back of a phenomenal Africa Cup of Nations. Seldom used in Serie A after his summer arrival, El Aynaoui transformed into an indispensable engine for Morocco, covering every blade of grass and bringing balance to the midfield.
On the left wing, Abde Ezzalzouli (24, Real Betis, Morocco) produced the finest season of his career. With nine goals and nine assists in La Liga, the electric winger was central to Betis securing a Champions League return for the first time in two decades. His one-on-one ability and directness make him undroppable for Morocco, where he locks down the left attacking channel with flair and end product.
The attacking trio is completed by two playmakers who lit up different stages. Ibrahim Maza (20, Bayer Leverkusen, Algeria) announced himself as the Bundesliga’s breakout star, earning a Rookie of the Season nomination. Dubbed “Mazadona” by adoring fans, the versatile attacking midfielder (capable of operating as a 6, 8, or 10) showcased vision and technique that mark him as the long-term heir to Algeria’s creative throne. Meanwhile, Ilan Kebbal (27, Paris FC, Algeria) captured hearts in the first half of the Ligue 1 season with dazzling dribbling and end product for the promoted side. Though his form dipped post-CAN, Kebbal’s resilience shone through as he finished the campaign strongly, even if national team coach Petkovic appears not yet convinced.
Finally, Ismaël Saibari (25, PSV Eindhoven, Morocco) is the catalyst who ties everything together. Crowned Eredivisie Player of the Year after a breathtaking season in which he plundered 19 goals and added 9 assists, Saibari has evolved into a truly dynamic force. Whether drifting as a false nine or surging from deep, his blend of power, agility, and intelligence makes him a nightmare for defenders. At international level, he has already proven his capacity to fill multiple roles, giving Morocco a potent attacking dimension.
This XI reflects the depth and diversity of Maghreb talent spread across Europe’s top leagues and beyond. It also illuminates the growing influence of North African players in determining the destinies of their clubs—from Champions League qualification at Betis and Lille to title charges in the Eredivisie. With the World Cup on the horizon, several of these stars will carry the hopes of their nations, and this blog selection captures a snapshot of the elite. Based on reporting from L'Equipe.