Monaco's Maghnes Akliouche levelling up in World Cup year

It hasn't necessarily been an easy season for Maghnes Akliouche, however, the AS Monaco academy product is peaking at just the right time, with the World Cup just around the corner.

Something in the water at Monaco

Akliouche is following in the footsteps of some of France's greatest ever attackers. The likes of Kylian Mbappé, Thierry Henry, and David Trezeguet all came through the ranks at the Principality club, going on to have fine careers for club and country.

Those players were all sold very bright futures, but that was not necessarily always the case for Akliouche. “Maghnes was late to mature physically compared with teammates the same age,” said Manu Dos Santos, who worked with Akliouche at youth level. "There are players that, at 17 or 18 years old, are ready,” he added. Akliouche, quite simply, was not one of them. He had to wait for his chance. He showed patience and he was given that chance, firstly by Monaco and now for France, too.

His breakthrough at Monaco came under Adi Hutter. In the Austrian's first game in charge of Monaco, Akliouche began on the bench but came off it to register his first goal in Ligue 1 McDonald's on the first day of the 2023/24 season. Hutter was fond of Akliouche and frequently lobbied for him to be a part of Les Bleus' squad.

Maghnes Akliouche's show in Paris 🪄 pic.twitter.com/BaFlLBlrwf
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) March 9, 2026

"France has so many players on a top level, but I cannot see another player who has the same skills as Maghnes Akliouche. He is a totally different player,” said Hutter last season.

However, Hutter left earlier this season, replaced by Sébastien Pocognoli. Even prior to the Austrian's exit, Akliouche had gone off the boil, that was despite the playmaker making his debut for the France national team back in September. His dip also came amid speculation over his future at Monaco. As for all young players, there are highs and lows. Throughout this difficult spell, Pocognoli has sought to defend Akliouche, but he has never taken him out of the firing line.

Six goal contributions in five games

He had already made 36 appearances in all competitions this season. Playing frequently has allowed him not only to rediscover his form but also to reach the next level. Akliouche has made 15 goal contributions this season and six have come in the last five games. In Sunday's win over Lyon, he scored and registered an assist.

But it was his appearances at the Parc des Princes, both in the Champions League and in Ligue 1 McDonald's that caught the eye. The playmaker dazzled with his footwork and, crucially, he was incisive and decisive, too. He showed that he was a player for the big occasion, just as the likes of Mbappé and Henry have been. Those two went on to have big careers for France, with the former currently the captain of the national team. And on current form, you wouldn't bet against Akliouche playing a prominent role in this summer's World Cup.

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