Morocco has produced some of the most electrifying, gritty, and technically gifted footballers in Africa — but who really ranks among the greatest? In this article, BraeckBall will share with you the morocco top 10 players of all time, blending stats, stories, records, and moments. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just stepping into Atlas Lions lore, these names define Moroccan football history.
What makes a player “top” in Morocco’s history
Before diving into the list, it helps to understand what criteria are crucial:
- Number of international caps and goals
- Club success (both in Morocco and abroad)
- Big tournament performances: AFCON, World Cup, Olympics
- Influence off the pitch: leadership, pioneering, inspiration
- Longevity and consistency
With that, here are ten names who check nearly all those boxes.
The Top 10 Legend Cast
Here are the morocco top 10 players of all time, in no strict order but ranked by overall impact.
1. Ahmed Faras
- Striker, born 1946-12-07 in Mohammedia; passed away 2025-07-16.
- Morocco’s all-time top scorer (national team) with 36 goals in 94 caps.
- Key achievements: African Footballer of the Year in 1975; led Morocco to their only Africa Cup of Nations title in 1976 and was named best player of that tournament.
- Club loyalty: spent his entire senior club career at Chabab Mohammédia (1965-82), won Moroccan League (1980), Throne Cup etc.
2. Ezzaki Badou “Zaki”
- Goalkeeper with huge stature in Moroccan/African football; born 1959.
- Played for Wydad Casablanca, then moved to RCD Mallorca and became a legend there; also many caps for Morocco.
- He won African Footballer of the Year (1986), rare for a goalkeeper.
3. Noureddine Naybet
- A rock in defense; often seen as Morocco’s most accomplished centre-back on international stage.
- Accumulated many caps; played in Europe for top clubs; leadership in Morocco’s defensive line.
4. Mustapha Hadji
- Midfielder/winger, magical dribbles, clutch goals; won African Footballer of the Year in 1998.
- Key in World Cups (94, 98), AFCON, club success in Europe. His style and flair made him beloved. aghrebmagazine.com)
5. Medhi Benatia
- Stunning career in defense; played for big European clubs (Roma, Bayern Munich, Juventus).
- Strong leader, multiple trophies, dependable in high-pressure circumstances. His presence lifted Morocco and the clubs he played for.
6. Hakim Ziyech
- Attacking midfielder / winger, known for vision, set-pieces, passing, goals.
- Significant impact at club level. Also instrumental in Morocco’s recent success (World Cup 2022).
7. Yassine Bounou (Bono)
- One of the best goalkeepers Morocco has ever had in modern era; great performances in La Liga and Champions League, big games.
- Stability, reliability when it counts; deservedly high in recent rankings.
8. Salaheddine Bassir
- Forward, clinical goal-scorer for Morocco with important goals in AFCON & World Cup qualifiers.
- Club career abroad (Spain etc) showed his ability to adapt and shine.
9. Youssef El-Nesyri
- More recent generation; striker, strong physical presence, good scoring record for Morocco; playing in top leagues.
- Helps bridge past and present, showing that Morocco keeps producing high quality forwards.
10. Youssef Safri / Houssine Kharja (tie-for inclusion depending on criteria)
- Youssef Safri: Midfielder, great work-rate, playmaking, many caps, clutch performances in big games.
- Houssine Kharja: Technical midfielder, strong contributor, also many caps and solid career in Europe.
Honorable Mentions
There are a few who narrowly missed the “top 10” but deserve respect:
- Youssef Hadji — veteran attacker with flair and important goals.
- Noufissa “Abderrazak” Khairi / Abdelkrim Merry — older generation strikers.
- Aziz Bouderbala — elegant winger influential in the 80s-90s.
Why these players stand out
- Legacy & records: Ahmed Faras still holds scoring records. Zaki redefined goalkeeping for Africa and Morocco.
- International tournaments: Players like Hadji, Naybet, Safri, Ziyech have competed at highest levels (World Cups, AFCON) and made decisive contributions.
- Club success abroad: Moving to European leagues has been a mark of quality; these players proved themselves outside Morocco.
- Leadership & identity: Many of these players were captains, symbols of national pride. Their names resonate with younger generations.
Current generation and upward trend
The past decade has been special: Morocco’s deep run in the 2022 FIFA World Cup (semifinals), strong displays in AFCON, and Moroccan players starring in top European leagues. Players like El Nesyri, Yassine Bounou, Hakim Ziyech, and Achraf Hakimi (if one extends beyond top 10) show that the tradition continues.
Conclusion
The morocco top 10 players of all time are more than just names on a list — they are legends who built Moroccan football’s identity. From Ahmed Faras’s goals and leadership to Zaki’s wall in goal, from Hadji’s magic in midfield to Bounou’s recent brilliance — each one helped the Atlas Lions roar louder on the world stage.
If you’re a fan, BraeckBall invites you to pick your own eleven — who would you choose? Share your list, tell us which legends inspire you most, and stay tuned for spotlights on individual stars, match reviews, and the next generation aiming to join this elite group.
