From apprentice carpenter to European champion, the remarkable rise of Ayoub El Kaabi
In short: Born in a disadvantaged Casablanca neighborhood, Ayoub El Kaabi left school at 15 to work as a carpenter. Today, he stands as a prolific striker who made history by leading Olympiacos to their first major European trophy, proving that elite football talent can emerge from the most unlikely of beginnings.
Ayoub El Kaabi’s path to professional football was unconventional. Raised in the Derb Milla neighborhood of Casablanca, he initially pursued a trade as an apprentice carpenter in the Mediouna district to support his family during difficult times in the 1990s. His transition to the pitch began in the Hay Khadija district, where his technical ability and physical presence caught the attention of scouts from Racing de Casablanca. He signed his first professional contract in 2014 at age 21, having previously played as a left-back and defensive midfielder before his finishing skills were recognized.
His career trajectory saw him move through clubs in Morocco, China, Turkey, and Qatar before finding his stride in Greece with Olympiacos. In the 2023–24 season, El Kaabi became a pivotal figure in European football. He scored 11 goals in the knockout phase of the UEFA Europa Conference League—a record for a single UEFA club competition—and netted the decisive goal in the final against Fiorentina. This victory marked the first time a Greek side had secured a major European trophy, cementing his status as a transformative force for the club.
Beyond his club success, El Kaabi has been a consistent performer for the Morocco national team. Since his international debut in 2018, he has claimed three international titles, including the 2018 and 2020 African Nations Championships and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. His 2018 performance was particularly notable, as he finished as the tournament's top scorer with a record nine goals. Despite facing challenges, including a leg fracture in 2026, his career remains defined by his rapid ascent from a local carpenter to an internationally recognized goalscorer.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Ayoub El Kaabi
- Also: Wikidata — Ayoub El Kaabi · CC0
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