Rabat – Soufiane El Mesrar is the captain of the Moroccan futsal national team and the most important element in the squad. He is the person who led the Atlas Lions through an era that was marked by continued success, continental titles, international achievements, and remarkable performances.

Born on June 5, 1990, in Kenitra, El Mesrar began his career in Morocco’s domestic futsal league before moving to France, where he developed his skills and built a successful professional career.

Over the years, his leadership, tactical intelligence, and goalscoring ability have made him an essential player in the national team under coach Hicham Dguig.

No observer can deny the role of Morocco’s number 18 in helping the team top the African List for the fourth consecutive time.

From Kenitra to French futsal success

El Mesrar’s journey started from the heart of Morocco, from the city of the little Bridge, Kenitra. The Moroccan captain started his futsal career with Dynamo Kénitra, where he helped the team win two times the Moroccan championship, to move afterward to the international level with Montpellier Méditerranée Futsal. After only one year at Montpellier, El Mesrar joined ACCS Asnières Villeneuve 92 with his Moroccan teammate Bilal El Bakkali. 

El Masrar made his debut with the Moroccan futsal team in 2011; he contributed to the World Cup finals several times (in 2016, 2021, and 2024)

His experience abroad has helped him become one of the most influential members of Morocco’s national team, bringing valuable international experience to the squad.

A key figure in Morocco’s historic achievements

Under Dguig, El Mesrar has contributed to one of the most successful periods in Moroccan futsal history.

The Atlas Lions secured their fourth consecutive Africa Futsal Cup of Nations title on Wednesday, October 21, after defeating Angola 5-2 in the final.

The achievement further strengthened Morocco’s dominance in African futsal, with El Mesrar playing an important role in the team’s continued success.

During this year’s tournament, the Moroccan captain delivered an impressive performance against Libya in the group stage, scoring a hat-trick in Morocco’s 6-0 victory.

His three goals earned him the Player of the Match award, highlighting his ability to make a difference in important games.

El Mesrar has also helped Morocco win 3 Arab Futsal Cup titles in 2021, 2022 (he was named the tournament’s Best Player), and 2023, contributing to the national team’s growing reputation at regional and international levels.

International experience and World Cup performances

El Mesrar has represented Morocco at several FIFA Futsal World Cup tournaments, including the 2016 edition in Colombia, the 2021 tournament in Lithuania, and the 2024 competition in Uzbekistan.

His performances, goals, and assists have contributed to Morocco’s progress on the international stage, including reaching the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

The Moroccan captain was also part of the national team’s success at the 2022 Continental Futsal Championship in Thailand, where Morocco defeated strong international opponents, including Iran.

These experiences have helped El Mesrar develop the confidence and tactical awareness needed to compete against some of the world’s strongest futsal teams.

Not a goalscorer… an actual leader 

While El Mesrar is widely recognized for his attacking abilities, his influence extends beyond scoring goals.

The Moroccan captain plays an important role in organizing his teammates, maintaining tactical discipline, and motivating the squad during difficult moments.

His experience allows him to remain calm under pressure and help younger players manage challenging situations.

He also contributes to Morocco’s transitions from defense to attack, using his vision and passing ability to connect different areas of the court.

His leading abilities and experience made him an important element in Dguig’s squad to link between the technical staff and the players during matches. 

His leadership has helped Morocco maintain a strong team spirit and collective identity throughout its recent successes.

At 36, El Mesrar continues to play an important role in Moroccan futsal, combining experience with the determination to compete at the highest level.

With four consecutive African titles and several international achievements, the Moroccan captain has secured his place among the leading figures in the history of the country’s futsal.