13-Year-Old Moroccan Soccer Prodigy Sets New Record as Youngest National Team Captain

Ilyes Bennane, 13 years old, is now the youngest captain in the history of Moroccan football, wearing the armband with the U15s. "In a triangular tournament in Alicante (Spain)", Bennane faced Spain (0-1 defeat) on Thursday and then Mexico (0-0) on Sunday with the Moroccan U15s, reports La Dernière Heure. He played 90 minutes, while he only plays two 40-minute games with the Anderlecht U15s.

The Moroccan prodigy’s performances have seduced the audience, namely many European recruiters, including Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Valencia... Scouts have also tried to contact members of the player’s entourage. For now, he is not yet under contract. He will only be able to sign as a professional in January 2026 on his 15th birthday.

Born in Belgium, Bennane is a Belgian phenomenon of Moroccan origin. Last February, he was - at only 13 years old - the earliest Belgian international ever, playing with the U15s against England. Last March, he left the Belgian under-15 team for Morocco, to the surprise of many, thus fulfilling his father’s wish to see him represent the team of his country of origin. He will celebrate his 14th birthday on January 19.