The Belgian winger who conquered Europe and China
In short: From a decisive Champions League final equaliser to a high-scoring stint in Saudi Arabia, Yannick Carrasco has navigated the globe. Discover the journey of a versatile attacker whose career spans the elite leagues of France, Spain, China, and the Middle East.
Born in Vilvorade, Belgium, to a Spanish mother and a Portuguese father, Carrasco’s professional ascent began in earnest at Monaco. After arriving from Genk in 2010, he became a key figure in the club's resurgence, helping them secure promotion to Ligue 1 during his first season. His time in France was marked by significant individual milestones, including a Champions League goal against Arsenal in 2015 and a prolific period where he netted 20 goals across 105 appearances.
A defining moment in his career arrived in May 2016. Playing for Atlético Madrid, Carrasco entered the UEFA Champions League final at the San Siro as a substitute. In the 79th minute, he struck the equaliser against Real Madrid, becoming the first Belgian player to score in a European Cup final, even though Atlético ultimately lost on penalties. His tenure in Spain saw him win a La Liga title following a return to the club in 2020, including a memorable winning goal against Barcelona that same year.
Carrasco's career has also been defined by his movement across emerging football markets. In 2018, he moved to the Chinese Super League with Dalian Professional, a stint that preceded his later move to the Saudi Pro League. Joining Al-Shabab in 2023 for a reported €15 million, he has continued to find success, recording a career-best league campaign in 2025–26 with 18 goals and ten assists. Internationally, he remains a fixture for Belgium, having represented his nation at the 2016, 2020, and 2024 European Championships, as well as the 2018 World Cup.
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