The Spotlight: Ilies Belmokhtar
The winger poised to lead the next generation of Moroccan football talent.
As I embark on my journey of scouting and sharing insights into the next generation of football talent, I’m excited to introduce the first of what I hope will be a long list of young players with great potential.
Today, The Spotlight is on Ilies Belmokhtar, a promising winger currently honing his skills at AS Monaco’s renowned academy. With his dual French-Moroccan nationality, Ilies has been an integral part of the Moroccan national team setup since the U16s and now representing the U17 squad. His involvement highlights his role in Morocco’s long-term project, and he could very well be the next big name to emerge from these talent-filled ranks.
Early Life and Football Beginnings
Ilies Belmokhtar, born in 2008 in Ivry-sur-Seine, Ile-de-France, hails from one of the most prolific talent hotbeds in world football. Known for producing a wealth of footballing talent, this region has shaped some of the best players in the game. Ilies started his football journey at just 4 years old with ES Vitry, where he spent several years developing his foundational skills. His next move took him to AS Orly, a neighboring amateur club, where he continued to refine his game.
In mid-2021, Ilies was selected to join the Pôle Espoirs in Reims, a prestigious youth development program in France that nurtures the country's top young footballers. These Pôles Espoirs are regional training centers for elite youth players, designed to complement their club training while providing them with a high level of coaching and education, helping to prepare them for professional careers.
Ilies had been on the radar of several professional clubs for some time, and just a month after joining the Pôle Espoirs, he signed a contract that would allow him to continue his training in Reims while securing a three-year spot at AS Monaco’s academy starting in the 2023/24 season.
Profile on the pitch
Ilies Belmokhtar is a right winger whose creativity is immediately apparent on the pitch. His ability to think outside the box and translate that vision into action sets him apart from his peers. His creativity, combined with his exceptional passing skills, makes him a highly unpredictable opponent for defenders.
He has a natural inclination for operating in the half-space, often drifting into central areas to craft his own scoring opportunities. This flair and vision are not coincidental; during his early years, he played as a number 10, a role that honed his playmaking abilities and creative thinking.
During his debut season with AS Monaco, Ilies competed in the U17 National league despite being only 15 years old. In 21 matches, he demonstrated his goal-scoring prowess by netting 11 goals, including 4 braces. His game vision and ball control contribute to his effortless style of play, making complex maneuvers appear straightforward. Ilies’ ability to manipulate the ball with ease and make incisive decisions on the fly highlights his potential to excel at higher levels.
You can see what I am talking about on these highlights from last season game against Cavigal Nice U17 (Number 7).
What’s also noteworthy is his versatility. His coaches have taken keen interest in his goal-scoring ability during last season, and to demonstrate it, he started as a 9 in his last game. Guess what ? He notched up a hat-trick and provided an assist in Monaco’s thrilling 4-3 victory over SC Air Bel (Number 9).
A similar style and path to Maghnes Akliouche
Ilies Belmokhtar and Maghnes Akliouche both exemplify AS Monaco’s exceptional youth development program. Hailing from Ile-de-France, both players joined Monaco’s academy at a young age, underscoring their early promise and the club’s keen eye for talent.
On the field, their styles of play reveal notable parallels. Akliouche, now a prominent figure in Monaco’s first team, has demonstrated versatility and creativity. Similarly, Ilies’ creative approach and ability to exploit space mirror Akliouche’s dynamic contributions. Both players excel in navigating tight defenses and creating opportunities, highlighting their shared tactical intelligence and technical prowess.
This resemblance in their playing styles and backgrounds emphasizes not only their individual potential but also the continuity in Monaco’s scouting and development strategy.
Looking Ahead
As Ilies continues to develop, the future looks bright. At just 16 years old, he is already making waves at AS Monaco, one of the world’s top football academies. Surrounded by a supportive environment and a system that nurtures young talent, Ilies is well-positioned to make the most of his potential. Monaco’s academy is renowned for successfully integrating young players into the first team, and Ilies is poised to follow this path.
I fully expect him to extend his journey with Monaco, progressing through the club’s elite ranks. In the coming years, he could well transition from the youth setup to gaining minutes with the senior squad. His versatility suggests he could excel not only as a right winger but also in other attacking roles. As he continues to refine his skills and gain experience, Ilies Belmokhtar is set to become a significant player in Monaco and Morocco’s future and beyond.
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