Arab Spotlight: Five North African and Middle Eastern Stars Steal the Week Across Europe

Top Five Arab Stars Light Up European Football This Week

Several Arab stars delivered solid displays across European pitches last week, though a few headline names did not show their best form.

While Egyptian Mohamed Salah managed to find the net against Aston Villa and helped Liverpool snap a losing streak in the Premier League, he didn’t look at his sharpest against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Moroccan ace Achraf Hakimi drew attention at Paris Saint-Germain not for his usual brilliance, but after suffering a heavy injury in the Bayern Munich clash in the Champions League.

Hakimi sparked worries among fans and Arab and Moroccan supporters as he left Bayern Munich in tears, a moment that dominated the weekly feature of Arab stars in Europe.

Beyond Hakimi’s injury and Salah’s goal, five stars stood out among Arabs playing in Europe’s clubs.

Kooora presents in a new episode of Top Five the Arab players who shone notably in the week of European leagues.

Moroccan Abdessamad Zelzouli (Real Betis) –

The Moroccan player Zelzouli scored for Real Betis against Mallorca in La Liga Round 11.

He converted a pass from Anthony and found the net in the 37th minute to seal a 3-0 victory for Betis.

He produced a strong performance, earning a 7.8 Sofascore rating and was subbed off in the 69th minute for teammate Aitor Ruibal.

Zelzouli has three league goals this season, plus a cup strike, and has been a regular under Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini.

His continued form at Betis has kept him in the spotlight in recent weeks.

Algerian Mohamed Amine Amoura (Wolfsburg) –

Despite Wolfsburg’s 3-2 defeat at the hands of Hoffenheim, Amoura delivered a superb display and showed his finishing ability.

Amoura opened the scoring in the 14th minute and added a second to level the game at 56.

The 4-goal tally in the league so far this season, plus an assist, highlighted his ongoing development.

He has shone this season for Wolfsburg.

Jordanian Mousa Al-Emari (Rennes) –

Continued to shine as Rennes’ attacking rhythm grew and he crafted chances for his teammates.

He helped set up the opener for his teammate Estibal Lepol in Rennes’ 4-1 win over Strasbourg in Ligue 1, and also scored a goal himself.

He registered a second goal of the season and showed steady progress this term.

He also found the net against Toulouse last week, continuing his bright run after a slow start to the campaign.

Moroccan Ismail Sibari (PSV Eindhoven) –

Ismail Sibari continued his fine form as Eindhoven beat Fortuna Sittard 5-2. He scored the opening and second goals after 17 and 28 minutes, respectively, keeping his side on the front foot.

The forward has eight league goals plus an assist, and he even struck twice in the Champions League.

Moroccan Abd al-Hamid Ait Bodlal (Rennes) –

Ait Bodlal delivered a superb assist to his side against Strasbourg, helping Rennes to a 4-1 victory.

He also scored and returned to Rennes with strong performances this season. The 19-year-old defender is breaking into Rennes’ first team after a loan spell at Amiens last season.

He’s versatile in defense, a product of the Mohammed VI Academy, and his value has risen to around €1.5 million as he earned a spot with Morocco’s youth teams ahead of the World Cup cycle. In five appearances this season, he has a goal and an assist, with his defensive shines drawing attention.

And that’s your five — the week’s Arab stars turning European theatres into their personal stage. If football is a stage, these five are learning to handle the spotlight without blinking.

Punchlines: If accuracy were measured in goals, these players would be snipers—every shot a headline. And remember, I told the defense to bring coffee; they brought a latte of excuses, but the goals still found the net.