A Son of Casablanca, A Number That Carries Weight
There is something deeply fitting about a Casablanca-born striker wearing the number 9 shirt for Morocco. Soufiane Rahimi isn't just wearing that jersey — he is earning it, match by match, goal by goal.
In the 2025/26 season, the 29-year-old Al Ain forward has recorded 9 goals and 2 assists across 11 national team appearances — a return that places him among the most clinical forwards in Morocco's current setup.
When the Lights Got Brighter, So Did He
The breakdown reveals a player who rises to the moment.
In Africa Cup of Nations qualification, Rahimi delivered 3 goals and 2 assists in 5 appearances — steady, purposeful, the kind of contribution that wins matches before the biggest stages even arrive.
Then came the tournament itself. Five goals in 3 Africa Cup of Nations matches. That is not a hot streak — that is a footballer announcing himself on the continental stage. Yalla Maghreb! He also added a goal across 3 friendly appearances, rounding out a national team season that demands recognition.
The Club Canvas
At club level with Al Ain, Rahimi made 18 appearances across all competitions this season, registering 2 goals — both coming in the UAE Pro League across 15 outings. He also featured in 3 Club World Cup matches without finding the net.
Minutes and roles at club level don't always mirror what a player brings to international football, and Rahimi's Morocco numbers make that case more eloquently than any club statistic could.
Arriving at Exactly the Right Moment
At 183 cm and 29 years old, Soufiane Rahimi enters the 2026 World Cup cycle at precisely the moment a striker is supposed to peak — seasoned enough to carry expectation, sharp enough to still make defenders fear what comes next.
Nine goals in one national team season. Five in three Africa Cup of Nations matches alone. When Morocco needs a number 9 who elevates as the stage gets bigger, the numbers already know his name.