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The future of the Moroccan national team is promising. At the 2022 World Cup, they became the first African country to reach the semifinals; at the U20 World Cup, they won the title; and at the U17 World Cup, they reached the quarterfinals. Part of the promising future is Moncef Zekri from KV Mechelen, who at just 17 is already a regular starter in the Jupiler Pro League.
Zekri is also eligible for Belgium as the left-back was born in the capital, Brussels. But after an interview, he quickly put to rest speculation about whether he would represent the country of his birth. “No, that decision has been made,” Zekri said to the Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad. “I am happy to represent Morocco, and I am proud to wear those colors. The atmosphere they created was evident at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. When you have that sort of audience you are hungry to play.”
Thus far, he has featured 20 times for Morocco’s U17 national team and took part in the World Cup in Qatar this November. There, the team reached the quarterfinals, where they lost to Brazil. But his best performance came against Mali in the round of 16, where he provided two assists in the 3-2 win. “I want to go with Morocco to the World Cup this summer,” Zekri said. “That’s my big dream. I have already spoken to the national team coach about it. Playing for Belgium is not an option for me. They didn’t notice me on time.”
To make Walid Regragui’s team, Zekri will have to continue to play well for Mechelen. There, he has featured in 12 games, nine of them were starts. Since he played for the U17 at the World Cup, he has played twice from the bench. Under head coach Frédéric Vanderbiest, who prefers a back three, Zekri plays predominantly on the left flank, where he made his debut in May 2025 at the tender age of 16 years, seven months, and 20 days.
The special role of Zekri’s father – Comparisons with Marcelo
Zekri was developed at the academy of Oud-Heverlee Leuven, from which he joined VV St. Truiden before moving on to Mechelen. His father played a significant role at Mechelen. “I came from St. Truiden to the U18 and was still a bit shy,” Zekri said. “My father often spoke to me and told me that if I want to play at a high level, I just need to let things happen. From then on, I had more joy playing football, and then it quickly started to go upwards. After every match, he told me what I did well and what I didn’t do well. I appreciate that. Without him, I wouldn’t be here. He helped me to develop step-by-step.”
Among Zekri’s strengths are his excellent technique and creativity. He likes to solve problems by taking on players one-on-one and enjoys carrying the ball across the pitch under pressure, which helps him mask some physical weaknesses. Another aspect he has to improve is his tactical discipline and challenges. Because of his style of play, he is already being compared to Rayan Aït-Nouri and Marcelo.
Why Zekri turned down Ajax
With a market value of €4m, Zekri belongs to the most valuable defenders born in 2008. Shortly after his debut, Ajax tried to sign the Moroccan, but Tom Caluwé, the technical director of Mechelen, convinced him to stay. “I am happy with that decision,” Zekri said. “Of course, it was difficult to turn down a team like Ajax, but I had a feeling that the coach here believes in me. Tom gave me a lot of confidence, and it is better to play with the first team at Mechelen than a youth team at Ajax.”
At Mechelen, Zekri’s contract will run until 2028, and he has made it clear that he will stay at the club beyond this winter. “I just will say no,” Zekri said when he was asked whether an offer could sway him. “I want first to establish myself here. When that is accomplished, then I will look at my options and not before the season has ended.”
