The numbers that turned heads
Defenders who finish a domestic season with 8 goals and 4 assists in 34 Jupiler Pro League appearances don't stay under the radar for long. Zakaria El Ouahdi has done exactly that for Genk in 2025/26, adding a further 4 goals and 1 assist across 10 UEFA Europa League outings to give him 12 goals and 5 assists across all club competitions this season — figures that belong to an attacking midfielder in most countries, let alone a 171 cm full-back.
What he offers Morocco
Born in Antwerp on 31 December 2001, El Ouahdi represents Morocco and wears the number 13 shirt. This season he has earned one appearance for the national team in a friendly, a first step that reflects the growing curiosity around a player whose club form has been difficult to ignore. At 24, he is at precisely the age where the transition from domestic standout to reliable international contributor tends to happen — or not.
His profile is an intriguing one for a backline: compact at 171 cm, clearly comfortable in advanced positions, and productive in front of goal by any standard for a defender. Whether that translates into a sustained role in Morocco's setup as the 2026 World Cup cycle deepens remains to be seen, but the raw output this season makes a compelling case for further involvement.