PROFILE | Ilan Kebbal – Paris FC’s late-bloomer-cum-neo-Algeria international | OneFootball

When you watch Ilan Kebbal, the first question that springs to mind is how, at the age of 27, he has not been picked up by a ‘bigger’ club. The Algerian was exceptional with Paris FC last season and his five goals and seven assists massively contributed to the Parisian club’s promotion to Ligue 1. But the major reason why Kebbal is a relative novice at the top level is his inconsistency. He is a forward who can disappear from matches… or for several weeks at a time. There are plenty of mavericks of his ilk in Ligue 2, but many share the same fault. 

But Kebbal began to address that in 2025. His quality, technique, efficiency in tight spaces has never been called into question but his ability to showcase it often has been. Building on his strong season in Ligue 2, he has hit the ground running in Ligue 1, even taking his game to the next level. Kebbal has six goals and four assists in France’s top-flight. It is not just the goals, but the quality of them. His strike against Olympique de Marseille from around 30 metres out immediately springs to mind.

Kebbal ensures centrality to evolving Paris FC project

His form for Les Parisiens has earned him a place in the Algeria squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). It was only in October that he earned his first cap, and whilst he only has three substitute appearances to his name, he has worked his way into that squad, despite the wealth of talent at Djamel Belmadi’s disposal.

At club level Kebbal remains a key player for Paris FC, who, backed by the Arnault family, have the ambition to challenge Ligue 1’s elite. But despite some big-money signings over the summer (Willem Geubbels, Moses Simon, Pierre Lees-Melou…), it is the players that took Paris FC into the top-flight that have been most valuable in these opening months of the season. Kebbal is chief among them, and as he looks to build his international career, he has assured his continued place in an ambitious project that, in years to come, could shake up the footballing landscape in France. But given the project at the Stade Jean-Bouin, he will need to repeat his 2025 form in 2026 in order to remain the cornerstone of Paris FC’s attacking fulcrum.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle