Mostapha El Kabir

Early life

El Kabir revealed he began playing street football and it wasn't until when he was 12 years old, El Kabir joined an organised club, which was Blauw Wit, where he began his football career. El Kabir also revealed that he started out as a defender before playing in a striker position during his time at Blauw Wit. In 2005, El Kadir joined Jong Ajax and stayed there for two years. He later stated that his reasons of his release was due to his attitude problem. After leaving Ajax, he was offered a contract by rivals, Feyenoord, but the trauma of the abdominal muscles prevented him from joining the club. Nevertheless, El Kabir did join Jong Feyenoord and stayed there for a year before joining FC Utrecht, where he was assigned to the club's reserve team. But in the summer of 2008, El Kabir left FC Utrecht to sign with Eredivisie side NEC on 3 June 2008, starting his professional career. As a result, he signed his first professional contract with NEC, on a one–year contract. Immediately after signing for the club, El Kabir was assigned to Jong NEC Nijmegen.

NEC

Having impressed Jong NEC Nijmegen in his first five months, El Kabir made his NEC debut, starting a match and played 82 minutes before being substituted, in a 1–1 draw against NAC Breda on 22 November 2008. Five days later on 27 November 2008, he made his UEFA Cup debut, starting the whole game, in a 1–0 loss against Tottenham Hotspur. After the match, El Kabir said about making his tournament…

As of 22 November 2021

Born on 5 October 1988 in Targuist, Morocco, in the province of Al Hoceima, El Kabir's family returned to Amsterdam after 20 days in Morocco, where they were on vacation at the time. Growing up with five brothers (including footballer Othman El Kabir) and one sister, El Kabir revealed that their family were poor and explained why he started playing football at a late age. His father worked as a Stonemasonry and a labour immigrant to help the family. In addition to speaking Dutch, he speaks Swedish, Italian and English. El Kabir has a daughter, Aaliyah. El Kabir is a Muslim, having grown up in a Muslim environment. Although his parents were from Morocco and was born in the country, himself, El Kabir holds a Dutch passport, making him eligible to play for Morocco and Netherlands. But he stated that he feels more Moroccan than Dutch and was open to play for the national team. During his time at Sweden, El Kabir lives in Sölvesborg and Fridhem in Högadal. However, lack of recognition from Morocco led El Kabir to change his mind, saying he's open to play for Sweden instead. El Kabir stated in an interview that he wanted to be a football coach once his playing days are over.