One to Watch: Ilan Kebbal – The Creative Spark of Paris FC’s Return to Ligue 1 McDonald's
At 27 years-old Ilan Kebbal is relishing his second chance in Ligue 1 McDonald's. The Marseille native was once considered too lightweight for the elite but has now fought his way back after years of persistence across France’s lower divisions. From Bordeaux’s academy to the depths of National 3 with FC Côte Bleue, via a breakthrough loan at Dunkerque and a testing stint with Reims, his career has been anything but linear.
But since arriving at Paris FC in 2022 – first on loan, then permanently – Kebbal has flourished. A technical playmaker with a keen eye for the final pass, he recorded 5 goals and 7 assists in Ligue 2 last season, playing a pivotal role in PFC’s promotion.
“I want to show that I’m a good Ligue 1 player, more than just a great Ligue 2 player. My work, what I love most, is assisting other players. I want to do as many as possible this season," said Kebbal in a recent interview with L'Équipe. “In Ligue 1, we respect the game more. In Ligue 2, I was constantly doubled up and man-marked. Here, I can express myself more."
The Kebbal Cabal: pulling the strings in ligue 1
Those words have been backed by performances. Since PFC’s return to Ligue 1, Kebbal has hit the ground running. His return to the top flight against Angers saw glimpses of his potential - with some incisive runs and threatening with his strikes from outside the box.
Yet it was a return to the Vélodrome, in the city where he was born, where the midfielder scored his first goal back in Ligue 1 McDonald's - and the first goal that Paris FC scored in the top flight for over 45 years. It was in some fashion too: curling an effort from just outside the box past Géronimo Rulli in emphatic style. He would slide Moses Simon behind the OM backline for his first assist in the same match.
Kebbal then repeated the feat against FC Metz for Paris FC's first home game at Stade Jean-Bouin in the top flight. He scored a penalty to put PFC back on level terms against the fellow promoted side, before latching onto Moses Simon's cross at the back post and tucking away for his third Ligue 1 McDonald's goal in as many games.
Kebbal’s resurgence has also been rewarded with a first call-up to the Algerian national team by Vladimir Petkovic. With stars like Riyad Mahrez and Amine Gouiri ahead of him, competition is fierce, but Kebbal’s creativity gives him a genuine chance to carve out a role.
“He’s an atypical player, not to everyone’s taste, but with enormous talent – qualities he doesn’t even realize he has," explained Paris FC coach Stéphane Gili. "Now that he’s been called up by Algeria, I’ll be even more demanding with him.”
Paris FC may have invested ambitiously this summer, but it is their mercurial playmaker from Marseille who is stealing the early headlines. If he maintains this trajectory, Ilan Kebbal could finally confirm himself as one of French football’s successful late bloomers – and perhaps even as a surprise star of Ligue 1 McDonald's 2025/26.
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