With the Africa Cup of Nations on the horizon in 2024 and dozens of Ligue 1 Uber Eats players set to represent their countries in Côte d’Ivoire, we’re continuing our AFCON series with Morocco -- learn more about the Atlas Lion legends who've turned out for Ligue 1 sides over the years.
Achraf Hakimi: Paris Saint-Germain 2021-
The 25-year-old is in his third season with the capital side after joining in 2021 from Inter Milan. Under manager Luis Enrique, Hakimi is arguably having his best season with four goals and four assists in 20 appearances across all competitions. Morocco will lean on the right back to be one of its top players at the 2024 African Cup of Nations.
Romain Saiss: Angers SCO 2015-16
Another Moroccan defender who has called Ligue 1 home is Romain Saiss, who made 35 Ligue 1 appearances while with Le SCO during the 2015-16 season. Despite the clubs not being in France's top flight at the time, the center back has also played for Le Havre and Clermont Foot while the two sides were in Ligue 2, and has made nearly 80 appearances for his country.
🤯 La dernière fois que le LOSC a affronté le @gfc_ajaccio, @sosoboufal19 a inscrit CE but 🔽
— LOSC (@losclive) March 6, 2021
Qui s'en souvient ? ☝ pic.twitter.com/eFx0w4VBIv
Sofiane Boufal: LOSC Lille 2014-16, Angers SCO 2020-23
The Moroccan winger made 99 Ligue 1 appearances with Angers SCO (56) and Lille OSC (43). During his time in France's top flight, the 30-year-old scored 27 goals while registering 18 assists, as well as winning the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé as the best African player in Ligue 1 in 2016.
Marouane Chamakh: Girondins de Bordeaux 2002-10
A lanky striker, Chamakh spent his entire Ligue 1 career with FC Girondins de Bordeaux, making 230 appearances in France's top flight. He recorded 56 goals and 24 assists in Ligue 1 while winning the league in 2008-09, the Coupe de la Ligue twice, and the Trophée des Champions twice.
Yunis Abdelhamid Dijon FCO 2016-17, Stade de Reims 2018-
The veteran defender has spent most of his Ligue 1 career with Stade de Reims, where he's been since 2017, making 186 appearances while scoring 12 goals and two assists, helping the Champagne side to promotion in 2018 following brief stint with Dijon FCO, where he made 18 league appearances.
⬇ Beautiful touch by @_OlivierGiroud_ 🔥
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) April 11, 2019
⬇ Control and then a bicycle kick 🚲
⬇ Under the bar, and on target 🎯
For today, here's a look back at the best goal of the 2011/2012 season, scored by Younès Belhanda for @MontpellierHSC 🎨🙌 #Ligue1Legends pic.twitter.com/tr5UkiG4Nl
Younes Belhanda Montpellier HSC 2009-12, OGC Nice 2016-17
A product of the Montpellier academy, the attacking midfielder spent most of his time in Ligue 1 with his first club, but was also key to a strong season for OGC Nice in 2016-17, helping Les Aiglons to third place. For La Paillade, Belhanda made 127 appearances while scoring 26 goals and 19 assists, winning the 2011-12 title in that spell.
