BUCHAREST – June 25, 2025 – Small in stature but huge in impact, 19-year-old Ayoub Oufkir might not be the most physically imposing right winger on the pitch at just 1.70 meters tall, but his left foot and explosive talent make him one of the most exciting young players in Dutch football. The Sparta Rotterdam forward has been turning heads with his creativity, flair, and eye for goal and he delivered once again when it mattered most.

That he’s shining now makes his journey even more remarkable. Moments of adversity, including a serious car accident, have shaped him into a mentally resilient player. His strength also comes from the deep connection he shares with his family, who play a central role in his motivation. Their presence and support continue to drive him forward, both on and off the pitch.

MAKING A STATEMENT

Now, Oufkir is not only a key figure for Sparta Rotterdam but also one of the standout players for the Netherlands U19 team.

Consistently decisive on the big stage Ayoub Oufkir has already proven to be of immense value to the Netherlands during this tournament. He made a statement in the opening match by scoring twice against Germany and continued to deliver with a crucial assist in the semi-final against Romania.

Both goals against Germany showcased different sides of his attacking instincts. Oufkir broke the deadlock just before half-time, as a German defender blocked a shot inside the box, the ball ricocheted into open space and Oufkir was quickest to react. With his left foot, he struck the rebound with precision into the top left corner. It was a goal born from instinct and alertness and the celebration reflected the moment: arms raised high, joy radiating across his face as teammates swarmed him.

Then, deep into stoppage time of the second half, he struck again. This time with a moment of calm brilliance. After a long clearance from the Dutch goalkeeper, striker Konadu rose above his marker to flick on a header. Oufkir timed his run perfectly, bursting past the German backline. Spotting the keeper off his line, he remained composed and audaciously chipped the ball over him and into the net. “I looked at the keeper and made my decision based on how he moved,” Oufkir explained to AIPS Media.

A winger with an eye for goal Ayoub Oufkir is a dynamic winger with excellent ball control and sharp decision-making. His quick first touch helps him create space and retain possession, even under pressure.

Operating primarily on the right wing, he loves to cut inside onto his strong left foot to shootor deliver accurate passes. While he’s capable of setting up teammates, Oufkir also has a keen eye for goal, as shown by his impressive scoring record for the Netherlands U19s.

SKY-HIGH CONFIDENCE

Confident and creative, he is always looking to make an impact in the attacking phase. Rising with confidence.

“My confidence is sky-high. Not just because of the goals, but because of the team, the coach, the staff. They all push you to be better,” Ayoub Oufkir told AIPS Media. “I give everything for the team, for myself and for the coach who has so much trust in me and is happy with how I play and train. When a coach has that much confidence in you and gives you minutes, you give so much back to make him feel as good as possible. That’s beautiful, and it keeps you in the right set of mind.”

After a breakthrough season at club level, Ayoub’s confidence and form earned him a spot on the Netherlands U19 squad for the 2025 European Championship. In discussions with national team coach Peter van der Veen, Oufkir received a clear message: staying at Sparta would not affect his standing with the Netherlands U19. His qualities were already wellknown, he was assured. “I really appreciate that he allows that and has so much confidence in me. I’m going there with a very good feeling,” Oufkir said to AD.

On his ambitions with the Netherlands, Oufkir leaves no doubt: “Lifting the trophy, that is 100 percent the goal,” continued the youngster. The power of family Ayoub Oufkir draws immense strength from his family. “My whole family comes to support me, my two brothers and my parents. Just seeing them in the stadium during warm-ups, that feeling is indescribable. It gives me even more energy to give everything,” he shared.

A special source of motivation is his younger brother. Eight years ago, part of the family, including Ayoub and his brother, were involved in a serious car accident. While Ayoub escaped with minor injuries, his brother was left confined to a wheelchair. “That made me 100% stronger mentally,” Ayoub reflected. “I’m doing all of this for him.”

BROTHERHOOD AND BEYOND: IBRAHIM AFELLAY’S IMPACT ON AYOUB OUFKIR

A major influence in his development has been former international Ibrahim Afellay, who now works as an assistant coach with the Netherlands U19s and mentors Oufkir closely.

“Ibrahim is a great guy. Every session he teaches me something new. He shares tips from his own career. I see him as a brother. He’s warm and supportive, but also serious when it

matters. That creates a strong bond,” he told AIPS Media.

BREAKING THROUGH: OUFKIR’S JOURNEY TO PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL 

The right winger for Sparta Rotterdam signed his first professional contract in August 2024, a major milestone for the young player. “I’ve been at Sparta for eleven years, since I was

seven. Playing for the first team is what I’ve worked towards. I’ve given everything for it every single day. Sparta has a top academy, they make you feel at home and do everything

to help you improve,” Oufkir told De Telegraaf just days after signing his first professional contract, the 19-year-old winger made his Eredivisie debut for Sparta against FC Twente. Came on as a substitute late in the game and delivered a pinpoint assist for Tobias Lauritsen’s equalizer in injury time, earning his side a crucial point. “That kind of ball is typical for me. Those are the actions I always make,” he explained to De Telegraaf.

In the current season, he has already played 14 competitive matches for Jong Sparta, impressively scoring 9 goals and providing 3 assists. On top of that, he has featured 6 times in the Eredivisie, contributing 1 assist in the highest Dutch league. He also played 2 matches in the KNVB Cup, scoring once. His consistent performances at both levels proved he was ready for the international stage, where he now aims to make a lasting impact at the U19 Euro.

Inspired by Lamine Yamal Ayoub’s idol is Lamine Yamal. “I always watch his match videos before games and try to imitate what he does,” he said to AIPS Media. Both players share similarities in their roles on the pitch: they are left-footed but primarily play as right wingers, cutting inside to create scoring opportunities.

ROOTED IN MOROCCO, COMMITTED TO THE NETHERLANDS

Though proud to wear the Dutch jersey, Oufkir hasn’t lost touch with his roots. “Morocco is still my homeland. I really love the country and always go there on vacation. But I haven’t heard anything from Morocco. So for now, I’m sticking with the Netherlands. I’ve got a starting role here. This is a top team, with top staff, everything is perfectly organized. It doesn’t get better than this.”

A team united by culture The Netherlands U19 squad is a diverse mix of players with roots in countries like Morocco, Nigeria, and Tunisia. This multicultural environment creates a unique dynamic where teammates learn from each other’s different backgrounds and experiences. “It feels good.

It’s nice. You can learn a lot from each other. So you learn more from one another and it also makes working together more fun,” Oufkir explained.

That sense of unity is echoed by U19 head coach Peter van der Veen, who told AIPS: “We are one team and we are orange. We say we’ve got the orange blood when we play.”