Youns Gabriele El Hilali, the Italian-Moroccan nugget who could go free this summer

Striker, Italian-Moroccan AC Milan considered a nugget. We are not talking about Hachim Mastour, eternal hope of football who has since evolved in Moroccan D2, but of the young Youns Gabriele El Hilali. From the height of his 19 years, this young striker trained in Milanello is slowly but surely starting to make a name for himself in Italy. It must be said that this season, he is in very good shape. Between the Youth League and Primavera 1, the Milan native has scored 7 goals in 11 appearances. Under the orders of former AC Milan player Ignazio Abate, now reserve coach, Youns Gabriele El Hilali confirms his status as one of the club’s great hopes.

This season, he has also inherited the captain’s armband on several occasions. “Now he has responsibilities: he is vice-captain. I expect a lot from him from a mental point of view, to help his teammates grow.”explained Abate recently in the columns of The Gazzetta dello Sport. A very skilful right-hander, El Hilali is often described by his coaches as a very technical player, endowed with a good vision of the game and a very strong personality. Former number 10 converted to second striker, the player of Moroccan origins has often distinguished himself by his technical gestures and his ease with the ball, facilitated by his size (1m77).

To read
AC Milan: finally good news for Mike Maignan

His contract expires at the end of the season.

So after a hot start to the season where he got a lot of talk about him, Youns Gabriele El Hilali, little brother of Mattia El Hilali (24), former Milan talent now without a club, also caught the eye of Stefano Pioli . The Italian technician took advantage of the truce linked to the World Cup and the absence of many internationals to integrate him into the group. After very interesting training, El Hilali convinced Pioli to take him to Dubai to participate in the preparation camp. Again, the 19-year-old striker seized his chance as he played his first professional minutes against Arsenal and Liverpool. Despite his team’s two defeats, his performances were considered very good and the Italian press recently explained that he could make several appearances in the pro group by the end of the season.

Given his good performance, the Italian club will have to quickly clarify the situation related to his contract. The latter expires in June 2023 and for the moment Youns Gabriele El Hilali has not yet extended. He could therefore leave the club free this summer. In any case, this is what the Lombard club fears, which has recently been looking for a solution aware of the player’s potential. The Moroccan federation is also watching his case very carefully and would logically like to see him evolve under the colors of Morocco. But Italy currently has the player’s favor, as he told Milan TV: “I only think about working every day to train for professional football and if I get a call from the national team I will be really happy”. The beginning of a battle for a player who should quickly be talked about.