From His Beginnings to Moroccan National Team Stardom: L'Équipe Praises El Kaabi's Level, Calls His Bicycle Kicks "An Extraordinary Touch"

The French newspaper L'Équipe lauded the exceptional performance of Moroccan national team player Ayoub El Kaabi, highlighting his stunning overhead kick goal against Zambia. The publication described it as a unique artistic touch that sets the Moroccan forward apart. L'Équipe emphasized that these bicycle kicks have become his signature move, with a compilation video of his most notable moments quickly going viral on social media, captivating both fans and experts.

Ayoub El Kaabi has not only scored one such goal; after finding the net with a similar spectacular effort against Comoros, he further solidified his reputation with a second acrobatic strike from inside the penalty area, this time against Zambia. This led L'Équipe to regard him as one of the most prominent stars capable of delivering magical moments on the pitch.

The newspaper also highlighted El Kaabi's unconventional career path. He began as a left-back before transitioning into a prolific striker for the national team, where he has so far scored 30 international goals. He also played a significant role in Olympiacos's triumph in the 2024 UEFA Europa Conference League, netting 16 goals – a record for an African player in the competition.

L'Équipe described the Moroccan national team forward as a dynamic player, adept at calmly finishing attacks. He rises directly to meet the ball from above, often bringing his foot to the level of an opposing defender's head when striking, which results in goals of extreme precision and beauty.

The newspaper delved into Ayoub El Kaabi's beginnings as a footballer in Casablanca, where he learned the fundamentals of the game on the streets before joining Racing Club. He then shone in the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN), scoring 9 goals, which paved his way to the national team and participation in the 2018 World Cup. Since then, El Kaabi has become an exemplary Moroccan player capable of achieving success and distinction at both continental and international levels.

L'Équipe concluded its report by commending his artistic masterpiece against Zambia, asserting that this magnificent moment could open new doors for him to shine in the remaining matches of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.