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Rabat – Moroccan football star Bilal El Khannouss has been recognized as Nieuwsblad Talent of the Season, further solidifying his burgeoning reputation in Belgian football.
The 20-year-old midfielder from KRC Genk edged out competition from Matte Smets of STVV and Igor Thiago from Brugge to claim the prestigious title, as voted by his peers, coaches, and club executives across the Jupiler Pro League.
El Khannouss, who achieved a respectable third place in last year’s voting, distinguished himself throughout the season with exceptional performances in Genk’s midfield.
His contributions were crucial, tallying three goals and six assists, solidifying his reputation as a skilled presence on the field.
After a season characterized by consistent and impressive performances, El Khannouss emerged as the undisputed selection for Nieuwsblad Talent of the Season, taking over the accolade from Arthur Vermeeren of Royal Antwerp FC.
The voting results highlighted El Khannouss’s influence, as he received the same number of preference votes as Matte Smets but secured a superior position in the competition for the Jupiler Pro League Player of the Season title, earning 42 votes compared to Smets’s 17.
Born in Belgium, El Khannouss is of Moroccan descent. A former youth international for Belgium, he later chose to represent the Morocco Under-20 team.
In June 2023, he earned a spot in the final roster of Morocco’s under-23 national team for the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, held in Morocco.
The Atlas Lions triumphed during the competition, securing their inaugural title and qualifying for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Read Also: FIFA Names Bilal El Khannouss Among Five African Talents to Watch in 2024
