Ayoub El Kaabi

Ayoub El Kaabi is a Moroccan professional footballer who plays as a striker for Greek Super League club Olympiacos and the Morocco national team. Born on June 25, 1993, in Casablanca, he is known for his aerial ability, clinical finishing, and a knack for spectacular overhead kicks. El Kaabi's rise from a carpenter's workshop to the top of European and African football is one of the sport's most remarkable stories.

At Olympiacos, El Kaabi has become a prolific scorer. In the 2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League, he finished as the tournament's top scorer with 11 goals, helping the club win the title. The following season, he shared the Golden Boot in the UEFA Europa League with seven goals in eight appearances. Domestically, he added a Super League 1 title and a Greek Cup to his collection. His trophy cabinet also includes a Qatar Stars League title with Al Sadd, and he was the top scorer at the 2018 African Nations Championship.

On the international stage, El Kaabi has been a key figure for Morocco since his debut in 2018. He played at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and has featured in multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. In 2025, he helped Morocco win the Africa Cup of Nations, scoring crucial goals in the knockout stages. As of 2026, he remains a central figure in the national team's attack, preparing for the FIFA World Cup, though recent reports suggest potential squad rotation issues.[edit]

Ayoub El Kaabi's path to professional football was far from typical. Born in Casablanca, Morocco's economic capital, he grew up in a working-class environment. At 15, he left school to work as a carpenter, learning the trade to support himself. Football was a casual pastime during those years, played in the streets and local pitches.

His talent eventually caught the attention of scouts, and he joined Racing de Casablanca, where his professional career began. From there, he moved through lower-tier Moroccan clubs, including Maghreb de Fès and FAR Rabat, honing his skills in the Botola Pro. These formative years were marked by hard work and determination, as he balanced the demands of football with the lessons of manual labor.

His breakthrough came in 2018 when he made his debut for the Morocco national team and starred in the African Nations Championship, setting a record with nine goals. That performance put him on the radar of clubs across the continent and beyond, leading to his move to the Middle East in 2021.[edit]

Ayoub El Kaabi's career took a significant turn in 2021 when he signed with Qatari giants Al Sadd. Over two seasons, he scored 46 goals in 87 appearances, establishing himself as a top scorer in Asia and helping the club secure league titles. This success paved the way for his move to Europe in July 2023, when he joined Olympiacos.

At Olympiacos, El Kaabi immediately made an impact. In his first season, he led the club to the UEFA Europa Conference League title, scoring 11 goals to finish as the tournament's top scorer. The following season, he shared the Golden Boot in the UEFA Europa League with seven goals in eight appearances, and helped Olympiacos win the Greek Super League and the Greek Cup. In the 2025 AFCON, he played a decisive role in Morocco's victory, scoring spectacular overhead kicks against Comoros and Zambia. As of 2026, he continues to be a key player for both club and country, though recent reports from August 2026 indicate potential friction with the national team coach, Mohammed Ouahbi, over squad selections.[edit]

Ayoub El Kaabi is celebrated for his aerial prowess and acrobatic finishing, which have made him a fan favorite in Greece and Morocco. His social media presence, particularly on Instagram under @ayoub_elkaabii, offers a mix of match highlights, training clips, and personal moments. He is often described as a humble and grounded player, a reputation reinforced by his working-class origins. His overhead kicks have become a signature, earning him the nickname "The Overhead Kick Specialist" and drawing comparisons to some of the game's greats. His popularity extends across the Arab world, and he is known for crediting his teammates and God for his goals.[edit]

Ayoub El Kaabi has cultivated a following that feels less like a manufactured fanbase and more like a natural extension of the Atlas Lions' spirit. His supporters in Greece, Qatar, and across the Arab world are united by a shared appreciation for his working-class resilience and his uncanny ability to turn ordinary crosses into spectacular aerial feats. Unlike pop stars with organized armies, El Kaabi's fans operate through the existing structures of Olympiacos FC and the national team, celebrating his humility and his signature overhead kicks as much as his goal tally. This organic devotion is rooted in the narrative of a carpenter who conquered Europe, making his every goal feel like a personal victory for anyone who has ever had to work their way up from nothing. The legend of "The Overhead Kick Specialist" travels faster than any official campaign, with stories of his acrobatic finishes against Comoros and his World Cup brace becoming folklore among those who follow Moroccan football closely. While no formal moniker exists for his supporters, the collective roar when he rises above the defense speaks volumes about his standing. This global attention places him firmly on the international stage, recognized not just for his talent but for the story he tells through his play. According to the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, Ayoub El Kaabi is currently the 20th most famous person from Morocco, a position he holds steady from the previous cycle.[edit]

Before his professional debut, Ayoub El Kaabi worked as a carpenter, a fact he often cites to illustrate his resilience and grounded nature. He is left-footed yet wears the number 9 jersey for both club and country, combining his physical presence at 1.82 meters with technical precision. Off the pitch, he remains humble, frequently crediting his teammates and God for his success. His reputation as an acrobatic finisher earned him the nickname "The Overhead Kick Specialist," particularly after stunning bicycle kicks including one against Comoros during the 2025 AFCON. Fans still retell the story of his defining performance in the Round of 16 of that tournament, where he scored a brace to send the host nation Morocco into the next stage, cementing his status as a central figure in modern Moroccan football lore. Another legendary moment involves his clinical finishing in the UEFA Europa Conference League, where his goals were instrumental in helping Olympiacos win the title. Despite reports in August 2026 suggesting he might miss the upcoming Atlas Lions squad due to injury or controversy, his legacy as a prolific striker who bridges the gap between grassroots origins and European glory remains unshaken.[edit]

Ayoub El Kaabi keeps his family life largely private. He is married, confirming his marital status on Instagram in 2025 with a post celebrating the Greek Cup win, accompanied by a ring emoji. His wife's name has not been publicly disclosed. There is no public information about children. He was born in Casablanca, and his family background is modest, with his early years marked by his father's carpentry trade, which he learned as a teenager. He often mentions his humble origins as a source of motivation.[edit]

Ayoub El Kaabi is associated with the Morocco national team, where he plays alongside fellow striker Youssef En-Nesyri. At Olympiacos, he works under the club's management and has formed a strong partnership with midfielders who supply him with chances. His move to Olympiacos was facilitated by the club's sporting director, and he has been praised by coaches for his professionalism. [edit]

Ayoub El Kaabi is married, though his wife's name has not been publicly disclosed. He confirmed his marital status on Instagram in 2025, posting a congratulatory message about the Greek Cup win with a ring emoji. There are no widely reported prior engagements or high-profile relationships in credible sources. As of 2026, he is married and keeps his personal life private.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Ayoub El Kaabi's net worth in 2026 is estimated at $5 Million. This figure reflects his substantial earnings from his contract with Olympiacos, one of Greece's wealthiest clubs, where he commands a significant salary. Performance bonuses from scoring in high-stakes European competitions, such as the UEFA Europa Conference League and the Europa League, contribute significantly to his financial standing. Additionally, sponsorship deals with Moroccan and international sports brands add to his wealth, while earnings from the 2025 AFCON victory, including prize money and bonuses, further boosted his assets. His net worth has grown steadily since his move to Europe in 2023. While specific property holdings remain private, it is likely he has made strategic investments in Morocco and Greece.[edit]

Ayoub El Kaabi has won several major awards throughout his career. He was the top scorer at the 2018 African Nations Championship with nine goals, and he won the Golden Boot in the 2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League with 11 goals. He shared the Golden Boot in the 2024–25 UEFA Europa League with seven goals. He has also won league titles with Al Sadd and Olympiacos, including the Greek Super League and the Greek Cup. [edit]