Overview
Younès Belhanda is a professional footballer who has established himself as a prominent attacking midfielder over more than a decade in senior football. Born in Avignon, France, on 25 February 1990, Belhanda chose to represent his ancestral nation, Morocco, at international level. His career has seen him play in some of Europe's top leagues, including Ligue 1 in France, the Ukrainian Premier League, and the Turkish Süper Lig, before moving to the Qatari Stars League. Known for his technical proficiency, vision, and ability to contribute both goals and assists, Belhanda has often been deployed in roles that allow him to dictate play from advanced midfield positions.
Position
Belhanda primarily plays as an attacking midfielder, often operating as a number 10 behind the main striker. This role allows him to leverage his passing range, dribbling skills, and shooting ability from outside the box. He is also capable of playing as a central midfielder in a more box-to-box capacity or on either wing, offering versatility to his coaches. His preferred position, however, is one where he can receive the ball in dangerous areas, link up with forwards, and create goal-scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
Identity
Younès Belhanda's identity on the pitch is characterized by his technical elegance and creative spark. He is a player who thrives in possession, often looking to unpick defenses with incisive passes or individual moments of skill. His ability to maintain composure under pressure and deliver key passes in tight spaces has made him a valuable asset for the teams he has represented. Belhanda is often described as a 'playmaker' due to his influence on attacking phases of play and his knack for producing decisive contributions in the final third.
Career path
Younès Belhanda's football journey began in France, progressing through youth academies before making his mark in Ligue 1. His career has taken him across several European leagues and into the Middle East.
Youth Academy & Senior Debut
Belhanda joined the Montpellier HSC youth system in 2004, developing his skills there for five years. He made his senior debut for Montpellier on 8 August 2009, in a Ligue 1 match against Paris Saint-Germain, at the age of 19 [Transfermarkt]. He quickly became an integral part of the first team, showcasing his potential as a dynamic midfielder.
Montpellier HSC (2009–2013)
His most notable period at Montpellier culminated in the 2011–2012 season, where he played a crucial role in the club's historic Ligue 1 title win. Belhanda contributed 12 goals and 4 assists in 34 league appearances that season, earning him the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award and a place in the UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year [Wikipedia]. His performances attracted attention from clubs across Europe.
Dynamo Kyiv (2013–2017)
In July 2013, Belhanda transferred to Ukrainian club Dynamo Kyiv for a reported fee of €10 million [Transfermarkt]. During his time in Ukraine, he won the Ukrainian Premier League and two Ukrainian Cups. He made 75 appearances across all competitions, scoring 11 goals.
Loan Spells: Schalke 04 & Nice (2016–2017)
Belhanda spent the second half of the 2015–2016 season on loan at German Bundesliga side Schalke 04, making 15 appearances. The following season, he returned to France, joining OGC Nice on loan for the 2016–2017 campaign. At Nice, he rediscovered his form, helping the club finish third in Ligue 1 and qualify for the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, contributing 3 goals and 7 assists in 31 league games [FBref].
Galatasaray (2017–2021)
In June 2017, Belhanda moved to Turkish giants Galatasaray for a transfer fee of €8 million [Transfermarkt]. He enjoyed significant success in Istanbul, winning two Süper Lig titles, one Turkish Cup, and one Turkish Super Cup. He made 131 appearances for the club, scoring 22 goals and providing 26 assists across all competitions, becoming a key creative force.
Adana Demirspor (2021–2023)
After his departure from Galatasaray, Belhanda remained in Turkey, signing with Adana Demirspor in July 2021. He continued to be a regular starter, contributing to the team's strong performances in the Süper Lig.
Al-Shamal SC (2023–Present)
In August 2023, Belhanda moved to the Qatari Stars League, joining Al-Shamal SC, where he continues his professional career.
Playing style
Younès Belhanda's playing style is characterized by a blend of technical prowess, tactical intelligence, and an attacking mindset. As an attacking midfielder, his primary role involves linking play between the midfield and the forward line, creating goal-scoring opportunities, and often scoring himself.
One of Belhanda's most prominent attributes is his dribbling ability. He possesses excellent close control and agility, allowing him to navigate tight spaces and evade opposition markers. This skill is crucial for breaking down compact defenses and initiating quick counter-attacks. He frequently uses feints and body swerves to create space for himself, enabling him to either take a shot or deliver a pass.
His vision and passing range are also key elements of his game. Belhanda is adept at playing through balls that split defenses, as well as delivering precise crosses and cut-backs from wider positions when he drifts. His decision-making in the final third, knowing when to release the ball and when to hold onto it, is generally sound. According to data from platforms like FBref, Belhanda often ranks highly among midfielders for progressive passes and passes into the final third, indicating his forward-thinking approach.
Belhanda also contributes significantly to goal-scoring. He has a powerful and accurate shot from distance, making him a threat from outside the penalty area. His timing of runs into the box is another strength, allowing him to get on the end of crosses or rebound opportunities. He is also a capable set-piece taker, often involved in free-kick and corner routines.
While primarily an attacking player, Belhanda also exhibits a decent work rate, particularly in pressing opponents to win back possession in advanced areas. He is not a defensive midfielder, but his involvement in defensive transitions helps his team maintain balance. Comparisons can be drawn to players like Hatem Ben Arfa in terms of individual skill and flair, or perhaps a more advanced version of a player like Rémy Cabella, given their shared Ligue 1 roots and creative roles.
Achievements & honours
Younès Belhanda has enjoyed a successful career, accumulating several significant team and individual honours across different leagues.
Club Honours
| Competition | Club | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Ligue 1 | Montpellier HSC | 2011–12 |
| Ukrainian Premier League | Dynamo Kyiv | 2014–15 |
| Ukrainian Cup | Dynamo Kyiv | 2013–14, 2014–15 |
| Süper Lig | Galatasaray | 2017–18, 2018–19 |
| Turkish Cup | Galatasaray | 2018–19 |
| Turkish Super Cup | Galatasaray | 2019 |
Individual Honours
- UNFP Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year: 2011–12 [Wikipedia]
- UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 2011–12 [Wikipedia]
His most celebrated individual season came during Montpellier's improbable Ligue 1 title triumph, where his performances were widely recognized. These accolades underscore his impact as a key player in his teams' successes, particularly in creative and goal-scoring capacities from midfield.
International career
Younès Belhanda has been a consistent presence for the Morocco national football team, earning numerous caps and representing his country in major tournaments.
Despite being born in France, Belhanda opted to represent Morocco at international level, making his senior debut for the Atlas Lions on 17 November 2010, in a friendly match against Northern Ireland [Wikipedia]. He quickly established himself as a vital component of the national squad, bringing his creative flair and technical ability to the midfield.
Belhanda has participated in several Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, including the 2012, 2013, 2017, and 2019 editions, playing a central role in Morocco's campaigns. His ability to dictate tempo, provide incisive passes, and contribute goals has made him a key figure in the national team's attacking setup.
A significant highlight of his international career was his involvement in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Belhanda was part of the Moroccan squad that qualified for the tournament, ending a 20-year absence from the global stage. He started in all three of Morocco's group stage matches against Iran, Portugal, and Spain, demonstrating his importance to then-coach Hervé Renard's plans [FIFA]. Although Morocco was eliminated in the group stage, Belhanda's presence showcased his standing as one of the country's leading footballers.
As of May 2026, Belhanda has accumulated 58 caps for Morocco, scoring 5 goals [Transfermarkt]. His experience and leadership have been valuable assets to the national team over more than a decade of international football.
What makes Younès Belhanda stand out
Younès Belhanda stands out primarily due to his exceptional technical skill and his capacity to deliver decisive moments in the final third. His ability to perform intricate dribbles in congested areas, coupled with a keen eye for a killer pass, sets him apart from many midfielders. He possesses a rare combination of flair and effectiveness, often producing moments of individual brilliance that can change the course of a match.
Another distinguishing trait is his versatility across attacking midfield roles. While most effective as a number 10, his willingness and capability to operate on the wings or even as a deeper central midfielder means he offers tactical flexibility to his managers. This adaptability, combined with his consistent goal and assist contributions, particularly during his title-winning seasons with Montpellier and Galatasaray, highlights his impact.
"He has the ability to make things happen, to unlock defenses with a pass or a piece of skill. He's a true playmaker." – Former coach on Belhanda's creative influence.