Overview
Zakaria Bakkali, born on January 26, 1996, in Liège, Belgium, is a professional footballer recognized for his technical flair and agility in offensive roles. Standing at 1.68 meters, Bakkali primarily operates as a winger, capable of playing on either flank, or centrally as an attacking midfielder. His early career saw him emerge as one of Europe's most promising young talents, making a senior debut at a remarkably young age. A Belgian national, Bakkali has represented his country at various youth levels before earning caps for the senior Belgium national team, reflecting his early potential and impact.
Position
Bakkali's primary position is typically on the wings, where his pace and dribbling skills are best utilized to challenge defenders and create opportunities. He is adept at cutting inside from the right wing onto his stronger right foot to shoot or combine, but can also operate effectively on the left, providing width and delivering crosses. His versatility extends to playing as a number 10, just behind the main striker, where his vision and ability to link play come to the fore. This adaptability has allowed coaches to deploy him in various attacking setups throughout his career.
Identity
Bakkali's footballing identity is characterized by his explosive speed and close control in tight spaces. He is often described as a 'Dribbling Winger' or a 'Pocket Dynamo' due to his low center of gravity, quick changes of direction, and ability to navigate past multiple opponents. While his career has been marked by periods of immense promise and flashes of brilliance, consistency and end product have been areas where he has sought to develop further. His attacking impetus and capacity for individual brilliance capable of unlocking defenses remain defining traits.
Career path
Zakaria Bakkali's football journey began in Belgium, before moving to the Netherlands, where he garnered significant attention.
Youth Academy
Bakkali started his footballing education in the renowned youth system of Standard Liège in his hometown. His talent was quickly identified, leading to a move to PSV Eindhoven's academy in 2008 at the age of 12. At PSV, he progressed rapidly through the youth ranks, showcasing the dribbling prowess and technical ability that would later define his senior career.
PSV Eindhoven
His senior debut for PSV Eindhoven came on July 30, 2013, in a UEFA Champions League qualifying match against Zulte Waregem, making him one of the youngest players to feature for the club at just 17 years old [1]. In August 2013, Bakkali made headlines by scoring a hat-trick in an Eredivisie match against NEC, becoming the youngest player in Eredivisie history to achieve this feat [2]. He spent two seasons with PSV's senior team, making 28 appearances and scoring 4 goals across all competitions [1].
Valencia CF
After his contract with PSV expired, Bakkali moved to Spain, joining Valencia CF on a free transfer in July 2015 [1]. He signed a five-year deal with the La Liga club. During his time at Valencia, he made 34 appearances and scored 2 goals across two seasons [1], often featuring as a substitute or in cup competitions.
Deportivo La Coruña (loan)
For the 2017-18 season, Bakkali was loaned to fellow La Liga side Deportivo La Coruña to gain more regular first-team experience [1]. He made 23 appearances for Deportivo, scoring 1 goal during his spell [1], though the club was ultimately relegated.
RSC Anderlecht
In July 2018, Bakkali returned to Belgium, signing with RSC Anderlecht [1]. He spent three seasons at the club, making 34 appearances and scoring 4 goals in the Belgian Pro League [1]. His tenure at Anderlecht included a loan spell at Waasland-Beveren during the 2020-21 season, where he made 20 appearances and scored 1 goal [1].
RKC Waalwijk
Following his departure from Anderlecht, Bakkali moved back to the Eredivisie, joining RKC Waalwijk in August 2022 [1]. He played one season for RKC, making 14 appearances and scoring 1 goal [1], before becoming a free agent.
Playing style
Zakaria Bakkali's playing style is defined by his attacking instincts, speed, and technical dribbling ability. Primarily operating from wide positions, he possesses the attributes of a classic winger who aims to beat his marker and create chances. His low center of gravity, coupled with quick acceleration and agility, makes him difficult for defenders to contain in one-on-one situations.
Dribbling and Ball Control: Bakkali's most prominent attribute is his dribbling. He exhibits excellent close control, allowing him to navigate through congested areas and maintain possession under pressure. His ability to change direction rapidly contributes to his effectiveness in beating defenders [3]. He frequently attempts take-ons, a hallmark of his attacking intent, often seeking to drive towards goal or open up space for teammates.
Pace and Agility: With notable acceleration, Bakkali poses a threat in transition and when running into space behind defenses. His pace is a significant asset, whether he's carrying the ball forward or making off-ball runs to exploit gaps. This allows him to stretch opposition defenses and create more room for central attackers.
Movement and Vision: While primarily a direct player, Bakkali also demonstrates good off-the-ball movement, often drifting between lines or making intelligent runs into the box. He has the vision to pick out passes and contribute to build-up play, though his primary focus is on attacking the penalty area himself or setting up opportunities from wide areas. He can deliver crosses with his right foot when playing on the left, but prefers to cut inside from the right.
Defensive Work Rate: As with many attacking players, Bakkali's defensive contributions have varied throughout his career. While he engages in pressing and tracking back, his primary strength lies in his offensive output. Coaches often utilize his energy for high pressing in the final third.
Comparisons in terms of playing style might draw parallels with other quick, technically gifted wingers who rely on dribbling to unlock defenses, such as a young Eden Hazard or Jérémy Doku, particularly in their ability to carry the ball and beat multiple players [4]. His directness and flair are key components of his approach to the game.
Achievements & honours
Zakaria Bakkali's career, while marked by individual moments of brilliance and early promise, has seen a limited number of major team honours at the senior level. His most notable team achievements have been in domestic leagues with his respective clubs.
During his time at PSV Eindhoven, Bakkali was part of a squad that competed at the top of the Eredivisie. Although he departed before their league title win in the 2014-15 season, his early contributions laid groundwork for the team's ongoing success. His individual hat-trick in 2013 remains a significant personal milestone, establishing a record for the youngest player to achieve such a feat in the Eredivisie [2].
At Valencia CF, Bakkali was part of the squad during a period of transition, and while the club competed in La Liga and European competitions, he did not secure any major trophies during his tenure. Similarly, his spells at Deportivo La Coruña, RSC Anderlecht, and RKC Waalwijk did not yield any significant team honours.
Due to the nature of his career trajectory, individual awards for Bakkali are not extensively documented in major categories. His achievements are more often tied to specific performances and glimpses of his high potential rather than sustained periods of silverware. The focus for Bakkali has largely been on developing his game and finding consistent form rather than accumulating an extensive list of traditional honours.
International career
Zakaria Bakkali's international career has predominantly been with the Belgium national team, although he also had the option to represent Morocco due to his heritage. His early rise in professional football quickly brought him into contention for the Red Devils.
Bakkali represented Belgium at various youth levels, showcasing his talent for the U15, U16, U17, and U21 squads. His performances for PSV Eindhoven at a young age led to his first senior call-up to the Belgium national team in October 2013 by then-manager Marc Wilmots. He made his senior international debut for Belgium on October 15, 2013, coming on as a substitute in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Wales [5]. This appearance made him one of the youngest players to ever debut for the Belgian senior side.
His second cap came in a friendly match against Japan on November 19, 2013. However, subsequent injuries and fluctuating club form impacted his consistent presence in the national squad. Despite his immense potential, Bakkali did not feature in any major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup or UEFA European Championship for Belgium. The fierce competition for attacking positions within Belgium's 'Golden Generation' meant that players needed sustained high-level performance to secure a regular spot.
His international appearances remained limited to these two caps, as other emerging talents solidified their places in the squad. While he was tipped for a significant international career during his teenage years, Bakkali ultimately did not manage to become a long-term fixture for the Red Devils. He did not score any goals for the senior national team during his two appearances.
What makes Zakaria Bakkali stand out
Zakaria Bakkali stands out primarily for his exceptional dribbling ability and explosive pace. From his early days at PSV, he demonstrated a rare capacity to glide past defenders with ease, using his low center of gravity and quick changes of direction. This makes him a natural threat in one-on-one situations, often able to create space where none seems available. His quick feet and close ball control allow him to operate effectively in tight areas, making him an unpredictable element in attack. Another distinctive trait is his knack for audacious attempts, often trying to beat multiple defenders or shoot from unexpected angles, embodying a flair-driven approach to the game.
"Bakkali has that raw ability to skip past players. When he's on form, he's a handful for any defender."