Azzedine Ounahi

Azzedine Ounahi (, ; born 19 April 2000) is a Moroccan professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Super League Greece club Panathinaikos and the Morocco national team.

Ounahi made his international debut in 2022, after previously being capped by the nation's youth teams at under-20 level. He was chosen in Morocco's squad for the FIFA World Cup in 2022 and 2026. He was also picked for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021, 2023 and 2025.

Club career

Early career A former player of Raja CA and Mohammed VI Academy, Ounahi joined RC Strasbourg in 2018. In August 2020, he moved to Championnat National club Avranches.

Angers On 14 July 2021, Ligue 1 club Angers announced the signing of Ounahi on a four-year deal. He made his professional debut on 15 August 2021 by scoring a goal in club's 3–0 league win against Lyon.

Marseille After attracting the interest of several top-tier clubs across Europe, thanks to his breakthrough performances for Morocco at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, on 29 January 2023 Ounahi officially joined fellow Ligue 1 side Marseille for an estimated fee of 8 million euros plus add-ons, signing a contract until June 2027. On 1 February 2023, he scored his first goal for Marseille on his debut against Nantes. On 1 November 2023, Ounahi was nominated for the 2023 African Footballer of the Year by CAF.

Loan to Panathinaikos On 4 September 2024, Ounahi joined Greek club Panathinaikos on an initial season-long loan with an option to buy.

Girona On 30 August 2025, Ounahi signed with Girona on a contract lasting until 2030. He scored his first La Liga goal in a 1–1 away draw with Athletic Bilbao.

Return to Panathinaikos On 2 September 2026, Ounahi rejoined Greek side Panathinaikos, signing a four-year contract.

International career Youth Ounahi was called up for Morocco U20 to participate in the 2018 Mediterranean Games. On 22 June 2018, he scored a goal at the 68th minute in a tie against Italy. He later went on to win the bronze medal with the team after a victory in the penalty shoot-out against Greece.

Senior On 23 December 2021, Vahid Halilhodžić gave Ounahi his first call-up to the Moroccan senior national team for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Ounahi made his professional debut for Morocco in the 2021 African Cup of Nations in a 1–0 victory against Ghana on 10 January 2022. In his fourth match with Morocco, he managed to score a double in a 4–1 victory against DR Congo in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF third round, which marked his first goal with the national team.

On 10 November 2022, he was named in Morocco's 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. After an impressive performance in the round of 16 game against Spain, which Morocco won on penalties, Spanish manager Luis Enrique commented on Ounahi's performance: "My God, where does this guy come from? I was pleasantly surprised by their number eight. I don't remember his name, I'm sorry…". In the quarter-final match against Portugal, which Morocco won 1–0, no Moroccan player had more dribbles (three) or won more duels (seven) than Ounahi. Morocco went on to finish fourth in the tournament. During a friendly match against Brazil, which resulted in a 2–1 victory, Ounahi picked up an injury after suffering a fracture in his right toe, that required him to undergo surgery, which resulted in an end of his football season.

On 17 January 2024, Ounahi scored a goal in a 3–0 victory against Tanzania, marking his first ever goal in the Africa Cup of Nations. On 11 December 2025, Ounahi was called up to the Morocco squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

On 26 May 2026, Ounahi was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In the round of 16 game against Canada, he scored the first two goals in a 3–0 victory as his team progressed to the quarterfinals.

Personal life Ounahi considers Andrés Iniesta his footballing role model. Ounahi is the cousin of footballer Reda Mhannaoui.

Career statistics Club

Individual IFFHS Africa Team of The Year: 2022 Panathinaikos Player of the Season: 2024–25 Super League Greece Team of the Season: 2024–25

Orders