Rising Soccer Star Neil El Aynaoui Credits Father’s Influence on Career

Neil El Aynaoui considers himself lucky to have sporty parents. "I was fortunate to have parents who played sports at a high level," he confides in an interview with the website lensois.com. The Franco-Moroccan midfielder is the son of Younès El Aynaoui, a former tennis champion (14th in the world in 2002). His father has been of great help in the development of his career. Today, he continues to give him advice, particularly on recovery.

"And my father insists a lot on the importance of recovering well. I was already very careful about that, I was aware of the importance of recovery at the highest level. Compared to Nancy, what changes here are the little details. At this level, we have less room for error. In Ligue 1, the players are high-level athletes, it’s all the little details that make the difference," continues the 22-year-old player. And he concludes: "My father won’t give me tactical or technical advice but rather on the details that allow you to stay at the highest level, on lifestyle, all the little things that will make me physically fit."

Arrived at RC Lens from Nancy this summer for a tip (500,000 euros), Neil shines through professionalism to the point of establishing himself in the eyes of his coach Franck Haise as a credible alternative to Salis Abdul Samed, Nampalys Mendy and many other players in the club. In six months, he has gone from substitute to starter. He has even taken his first steps in the Champions League. El Aynaoui is simply making the fans dream.