Moroccan Atlas Lion Neil El Aynaoui stole the spotlight at AFCON 2025 in Morocco after delivering strong performances and playing every minute of the tournament so far, including the 120-minute semi-final, with many hailing him as “the revelation of this edition.”
The 24-year-old midfielder, who made his Morocco debut only this year, is already drawing attention from clubs across Europe, with media reports suggesting “he could become one of the most sought-after midfielders in upcoming transfer windows.”
Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport called El Aynaoui, the Roma midfielder, “the revelation of the Africa Cup of Nations and the tournament’s best midfielder.”
The outlet highlighted “his perfect performances, strong mentality, and decisive penalty against Nigeria, noting that AS Roma coach Gasperini will find an even stronger player waiting for him.”
Since his debut last September, El Aynaoui has become part and parcel of national head coach Walid Regragui’s system, consistently covering gaps, correcting mistakes, and providing solutions in crucial moments.
He has played several official matches for Morocco, many of them consecutively, reflecting the trust he has earned in a short time.
He was even named Man of the Match in the 1-1 draw between Morocco and Mali during the second round of the group stage of AFCON 2025.
Regragui has praised him as “an intelligent player who gives the team real balance,” noting “his ability to run long distances and ease the load on the rest of the midfield.”
The 24-year-old Atlas Lion is the son of Moroccan tennis legend Younes El Aynaoui, who reached the top levels of the sport, ranking 14th in the world in 2003.
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