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Rabat – Chemsdine Talbi’s rise has been fast and steady. In just one year, the 21‑year‑old winger moved from Club Brugge’s promising setup to the Premier League spotlight with Sunderland and into Morocco’s national team.
Talbi first caught attention at Club Brugge with his Champions League performances. By summer 2025, several clubs were tracking him, but he chose Sunderland, a newly promoted side few expected to challenge near the top.
The decision proved right. Sunderland finished 7th, earning a place in Europe and surprising the league.
Talbi played a key role in that success. He scored four goals and provided two assists, including decisive strikes against Chelsea, Liverpool, and Newcastle.
His most memorable moment came at Stamford Bridge, where he scored a late winner. “The best moment was at Chelsea when I scored the winning goal in the last minutes,” he said in an interview with The National.
Joining the Premier League brought pressure. “I was a little nervous about joining a competition as important as the Premier League,” he said. “But I think I did well.”
His energy and confidence quickly made him a fan favorite at Sunderland, where supporters admired his fearless style and ability to change games.
Choosing Morocco
Last year was also a turning point internationally. After representing Belgium at the the youth level, Talbi decided to play for Morocco, a choice driven by emotion and family ties.
“I had to think a long time before making my decision. I chose Morocco because of my family. I chose Morocco with my heart,” he said.
Talbi’s connection to Morocco runs deep. His father’s roots are in Agadir, and he visited regularly while growing up.
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“I went to Morocco every year, two or three times a year,” he said. “I always try to go there to stay connected to my family.”
His first major experience with the Atlas Lions came at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), hosted by Morocco.
Though his playing time was limited, he described the tournament as unforgettable. “It was a great experience for me to participate in this AFCON, even if I didn’t play much. Just being with the team and playing an AFCON at home was something special.”
Looking ahead to the World Cup
Now, Talbi is preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Called up by coach Mohamed Ouahbi, he sees the tournament as a dream. “It’s a dream to play in a World Cup. It would be an honour to participate at my age, for my team and for my country. Morocco is like a family. They’ve built something different over the years.”
He also reflected on the toughest opponents he faced in England, naming compatriot Noussair Mazraoui of Manchester United as the hardest, ahead of Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.
Talbi is happy at Sunderland but clear about his goals. “My ambition is to progress every day and, of course, to play in the biggest clubs in the world. I think I can achieve this. I will continue to work hard to achieve my dream.”
At 21, Chemsdine Talbi is still at the beginning of his journey. With Sunderland heading into Europe and Morocco preparing for the World Cup, the next few months could define his career.
