Stuttgart’s Moroccan forward Bilal El Khannouss looks ahead to his second season and the Champions League.
Can a 22‑year‑old Moroccan star really make his mark in Europe’s biggest stage? Bilal El Khannouss returns to Stuttgart hungry for a Champions League debut.
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Now a full-time member of Stuttgart’s squad after his loan deal from Leicester City was made permament in May, El Khannouss spoke to the Bundesliga about his hopes of carrying the stellar form he enjoyed with Morocco at the FIFA World Cup 2026 forward into the new campaign, his ambitions with Stuttgart in his debut Champions League season, and who he thinks should win the Ballon d’Or.
Bundesliga: By finishing fourth in 2025/26 and qualifying for the Champions League, Stuttgart secured European football for a third time in a row. But it is your first year in the Champions League. How excited are you about playing in this competition?
El Khannouss: “I was very excited because I have never played in the Champions League before. I’ve played in almost every competition in my young career, but the only one I was missing was the Champions League. I played my first game last Wednesday [against Viking]. So yes, I was very happy with it and I hope we’re going to have a great campaign.”
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Bundesliga: You almost left before the deadline when another club knocked, yet you stayed. What made you choose Stuttgart?
El Khannouss: “At 22 I’m still chasing big dreams. I want to feature for the world’s elite clubs, and Stuttgart feels right to grow and take the next step.” For my money, Stuttgart offers the ideal platform.
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El Khannous made his Champions League debut in a 3-1 home victory over Norwegian outfit Viking on Matchday 1. – Alex Grimm –><!–>
Bundesliga: How did you find the experience of representing Morocco at the World Cup? You started all six of your country’s games to reach the quater-finals. Has this given you an extra boost for this season?
El Khannouss: “I really enjoyed it. I think we had a great tournament, even if my feeling was that we could have gone further […] But playing for Morocco in a World Cup has already given me a boost. It’s a crazy feeling. By giving everything for my country on the pitch, I feel I took a huge step in my career. So yes, I’ve taken that with me and I hope to perform well in the Bundesliga now.”
Bundesliga: You played against some big teams and big players at the World Cup as well. Did any of these players strike you as potential Ballon d’Or winners?
El Khannouss: “If I had to give my top three right now, I would say it’s between Kylian Mbappé, Fabián Ruiz and Harry Kane.”
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El Khannouss revealed that head coach Sebastian Hoeneß was the ‘main reason’ he signed for Stuttgart. – Christian Kaspar-Bartke –>
Bundesliga: Facing Harry Kane and Bayern Munich, how does that challenge feel in the league?
El Khannouss: “He’s an insanely talented striker, not just for scoring but for his link‑up play. I admire that.”
Bundesliga: Considering Bayern’s dominance, how competitive is the Bundesliga now?
Bundesliga: How crucial has coach Sebastian Hoeneß been for your development?
El Khannouss: “Honestly, he convinced me to join Stuttgart. His attacking philosophy matches my style perfectly.”
Bundesliga: Saturday’s home clash with Borussia Dortmund looms. What’s your game plan?
El Khannouss: “Dortmund are different this year, so we’ve studied them all week. We’ll pinpoint the key to snatch three points, and we feel confident.”
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