Abdoul Ouattara and Samir El Mourabet: Strasbourg's latest academy gems
Abdoul Ouattara and Samir El Mourabet are rapidly becoming the faces of RC Strasbourg’s academy, impressing fans and coach Liam Rosenior alike with their early-season performances. Both 19 and 20 respectively, they showcase the Les Strasbourgeois' ability to develop young talent capable of impacting Ligue 1 McDonald's for the first team.
Abdoul Ouattara: Resilience Rewarded
Abdoul Ouattara is a versatile midfielder, who has hit the ground running this season with three goals in his first three matches with RCSA.
“I hope to keep scoring. We corrected our mistakes from the Marseille match, won in Bratislava, and today it all worked out. We studied the opponent and played with our usual intensity. Now we must continue this way; the season is long and important matches are coming.”
The Ivorian prodigy’s journey hasn’t been straightforward. Arriving in the Alsace region at 11 years old, he quickly displayed remarkable talent at local club FC Niederschaeffolsheim, scoring 110 goals in just seven months. His move to Strasbourg’s academy seemed inevitable, where he quickly outshone peers like Habib Diarra.
Yet injuries threatened to derail his progress. Knee and ankle issues, coupled with contract negotiations, kept him sidelined for extended periods. Persistence paid off when he finally signed his first professional contract in June 2023. Now 19, Ouattara is seizing his opportunities, scoring his first Ligue 1 goal against Brest in October 2024. “I’m very happy and proud to score my first goal with my club. I hope there are many more to come,” he said.
Samir El Mourabet makes breakthrough
Like Ouattara, Samir El Mourabet represents Strasbourg’s homegrown talent. A child of the Cité de l’Ill in Strasbourg, El Mourabet made his Ligue 1 breakthrough this summer, quickly impressing Liam Rosenior during pre-season. The young midfielder started two of the first three league games, showing to his coach an adaptability and maturity beyond his 19 years.
El Mourabet, alongside Ouattara, experienced a special moment in their first professional derby, recalling years of youth competition: “We’ve played this derby in every age group since U13. Now at the pro level, there’s nothing better,” Ouattara remarked after their 1-0 victory.
El Mourabet has now featured in all seven of Strasbourg's games in Ligue 1 McDonald's this season.
Rosenior’s Praise
Strasbourg coach Liam Rosenior has been effusive in his praise for the pair. After the win against Angers, he stated: “Abdoul and Samir were excellent. They represent a lot — the Academy, the club, the city. I’m very happy to have them. It’s important to nurture and grow our players, and their openness to learning allows me to test them in different positions.”
For Strasbourg, Ouattara and El Mourabet aren’t just talented prospects—they are symbols of the club’s identity, blending local roots, academy development, and resilience. As the season progresses, both young talents are expected to play pivotal roles in the Racing first team, proving that Strasbourg’s academy continues to deliver Ligue 1-ready players capable of shining on the big stage.
