Maghnes Akliouche scored twice for AS Monaco as they beat Olympique de Marseille to go top of Ligue 1 Uber Eats on Saturday, but what else is there to know about the principality side's prodigy?
Akliouche scored his first with his right foot, his second with his left, and though he may not have completed the perfect hat-trick, he did assist Folarin Balogun in between as Monaco ran out 3-2 winners at the Stade Louis II.
It was Akliouche's first start of the season with Takumi Minamino and Aleksandr Golovin missing, and he seized his chance with both hands - or should that be both feet? Ligue1.com takes a closer look…
Back story:
Akliouche was born in Tremblay-en-France, where more than a quarter of Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport lies, in February 2002, and after playing youth football with Villemomble Sports and US Torcy, his professional ambitions had lift-off when Monaco signed him in 2017.
Fifteen when he joined, Akliouche was handed his senior debut by former Monaco boss Niko Kovac at 19, getting the final few minutes of a 2-0 defeat to Olympique Lyonnais in October 2021.
By the following June, Akliouche, who remains eligible for Algeria through parentage, was winning the Tournoi Maurice Revello with France, and he is now an U21 international under former Monaco star Thierry Henry.
Style of play:
Akliouche is an attacking midfielder who is still filling out his 6' frame, but his vision and quick decision-making means he isn't a player who depends on his physical stature.
Nominally left-footed, Akliouche has played across the final third in his young career to date, with the ability to cut inside and finish off either foot.
Current campaign:
Akliouche hit the ground running this season, scoring his first goal on the opening day when he came off the bench to grab Monaco's fourth in a 4-2 win at Clermont Foot 63. But until the Marseille game he has had to settle for a place among the subs, at least at kick-off. Now up to three goals and assist for the campaign, that could be about to change.
What they said:
"I'm very happy, for myself and for the team. I hope we'll continue like this. I tried to prepare well, concentrate and take all my chances. I'm really happy with how the game went, even if I'm a bit too tired to show it…"
- Akliouche on his star turn against Marseille
"I'm happy with the solutions available to me. Maghnes has trained really well in recent weeks and deserved his chance. He was very good tonight."
- Monaco coach Adi Hütter
