Bilal El Khannouss: Champions League Debut and Ballon d'Or Dream Amid Bundesliga Competition
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- Gelandang serang Maroko itu resmi dipermanenkan Stuttgart pada Mei lalu setelah masa pinjaman dari Leicester City berakhir.
- El Khannouss mengaku menolak tawaran klub lain demi menimba ilmu di Bundesliga, yang dinilainya paling cocok untuk pemain muda.
- Ia menyebut Kylian Mbappé, Fabián Ruiz, dan Harry Kane sebagai kandidat terkuat peraih Ballon d'Or tahun ini.
Bilal El Khannouss finally experienced the Champions League atmosphere for the first time. The Moroccan attacking midfielder started as VfB Stuttgart faced Viking in their opening league phase match last Thursday. For him, this was not just an ordinary appearance—but the culmination of a career journey he has built since leaving the Genk academy.
El Khannouss is now a permanent Stuttgart player after the club management made his move from Leicester City permanent in May 2026. The decision ended speculation about his future and underlined Stuttgart's commitment to keeping one of the most promising young talents in the Bundesliga.
The decision to stay at Stuttgart was not without temptation. As the transfer window was closing, an offer came from another club also competing in the Champions League. El Khannouss admitted he had doubts but ultimately chose to stay. "I am still young, only 22, and I have a dream that I want to fight for until it comes true," he told Bundesliga.com. "I want to play for the biggest clubs in the world, and I will keep working towards that. I think Stuttgart is the right place to grow and take the next step."
His performances with Morocco at the 2026 World Cup were a turning point. El Khannouss was trusted to play the full six matches, including against big teams. Although Morocco's run ended in the quarter-finals, he believes the tournament gave him a significant boost in confidence. "Playing for Morocco at the World Cup gave me a huge boost. It felt incredible. By giving everything for my country, I feel my career has taken off," he said.
From that experience, El Khannouss compiled a list of players he considers worthy of the Ballon d'Or. Without hesitation, he named Kylian Mbappé, Fabián Ruiz, and Harry Kane. Kane received special praise. "He is an incredible striker. Not just about goals, but also how he helps the team build attacks. I like him," said El Khannouss.
"The Bundesliga is very competitive and attacking. Almost all teams, from the newly promoted to Bayern, try to attack. That is what makes this league special." — Bilal El Khannouss
Regarding competition in the Bundesliga, El Khannouss believes the German league has a unique character. He compared it to the Champions League and Premier League, which he considers more tactical and defensive. "In the Bundesliga, everyone tries to attack and play beautiful football. I think it is the best environment for young players," he said.
The role of coach Sebastian Hoeneß cannot be overlooked either. El Khannouss admitted he joined Stuttgart mainly because of Hoeneß's offensive football style, which suits his qualities. "He is the main reason I came here," he confessed.
Next, Stuttgart will host Borussia Dortmund on Saturday evening. El Khannouss is aware that this opponent is different from last season. "We have worked all week, we will analyse them, and look for the key to get the three points. But we are very confident," he asserted.
For Indonesian football fans, El Khannouss's story offers a mirror on the importance of patience in developing young players. At a time when many young talents are tempted to move to big clubs too early, he chose to stay in an environment that supports his growth. Stuttgart, which consistently finishes in the top four and regularly competes in Europe, is an ideal laboratory for a player who wants to hone his skills before taking the next step. The question is, will that decision lead him to his dream club—or actually accelerate his path to the Ballon d'Or?
