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«One only understands the things that one tames». This quote from The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry perfectly suits Eliesse Ben Seghir. To become Monaco’s little prince, the young footballer had to tame the ball. As a child, he dreamt of goals, grass, packed stadiums, and lifting trophies, inspired by the stars he admired.
The French-Moroccan, born in 2005, began his career at SC Cogolinois (2010-2016) before moving to Fréjus St-Raphaël (2016-2018). He was later spotted by AS Aix-en-Provence (2018-2020). At just 15, he faced a pivotal decision: join Olympique de Marseille or AS Monaco.
The rest is history. It was at AS Monaco that Eliesse Ben Seghir took off. «I consider my career start quite good, even if injuries have slowed me down», he shared in a candid interview with Onze Mondial. Despite setbacks, he has emerged as a gem in the French league, captivating fans with his free-flowing style and ability to make a difference.
«I am solely focused on my game. My goal is simple: to perform well, score, make decisive passes, and bring joy to fans. The rest will follow».
With a philosophy rooted in hard work and enjoyment, Ben Seghir brushes off labels like «prodigy» or «great hope». His maturity belies his age, as does his ambition to shine and lead his team to success.
Like many of his generation, he draws inspiration from football’s greats. «Neymar is my example. I love his freedom and style of play. All young players see themselves in him. And of course, there’s Messi, whose ability to outplay an entire team is unbelievable».
The spirit of family
Beyond global stars, his first inspiration was closer to home: his older brother Salim, who has played for Nice, Marseille, and now in Switzerland. «He made me want to play football. I followed him everywhere, even to his trials. That motivated me to chase my dream», he shared.
Family has always been a cornerstone for Eliesse. His father, originally from Tinghir, played a central role in nurturing his passion, gifting him his first football jersey—Manchester United’s—when he was four. Always present at matches, his father’s sudden passing during the COVID-19 pandemic marked one of Eliesse’s toughest moments. «Losing him was an immense shock», he admitted in an interview with Telefoot. Yet, this tragedy only fueled his determination to succeed and honor his father’s memory.
The magic of the Champions League
The year 2024 marked a turning point with Ben Seghir’s debut in the Champions League—a dream come true. «Hearing the Champions League anthem is incredible. It’s the pinnacle of European football», he said. One highlight was Monaco’s victory against FC Barcelona. «After the match, everyone talked about my dab celebration in front of Camp Nou. It was magical».
Although eligible to play internationally for France, Ben Seghir quickly chose Morocco—a decision he fully embraces. «Many said I chose too early, but for me, there’s no perfect timing. I wanted to represent Morocco, so why wait?»
Morocco in his blood
Ben Seghir praises the strides Moroccan football has made: «The investments in training centers, coaching… it’s amazing to see it paying off». Inspired by the Atlas Lions’ historic 2022 World Cup run, he aspires to leave his mark on Moroccan football history.
Despite limited childhood visits to Morocco, his upbringing instilled pride in his roots. His contributions to the national team speak volumes: eight appearances, three goals, and two assists since March 2024.
Between ambition, humility, and hard work, Eliesse Ben Seghir is writing his chapter in world football. «My goal is to stay consistent and help my team. The rest will follow». With the Mountakhab, the future looks bright—Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 and the World Cup in 2030 on Moroccan soil.
