Moroccan international Bilal El Khannouss has been crowned the Belgian Footballer of the Year at the prestigious 71st Soulier d'Or gala, held on Tuesday evening in Middelkerke, Belgium. El Khannouss received 268 points, edging out defender Matte Smets, who played for Saint-Trond and then Genk, with 264 points, and Anderlecht midfielder Mario Stroeykens, who garnered 216 points. This accolade marks the second time the 20-year-old attacking midfielder has claimed the title, having first won it in 2022. El Khannouss, a World Cup semi-finalist in the same year, joins an elite group as the third player to win the award twice, following in the footsteps of Youri Tielemans, who won in 2014 and 2015, and Charles De Ketelaere, who took the honor in 2020 and 2021. Last season, El Khannouss played for Genk before transferring to Leicester in August. He also represented Morocco's U23 soccer team at the Paris Olympic Games, where the squad clinched its first-ever medal with a bronze. The gala also celebrated other top talents in Belgian football. Hans Vanaken of Club Brugge was awarded the 71st Soulier d'Or, recognizing him as the best player of the year in the Belgian league. Meanwhile, Charles De Ketelaere, now with Atalanta, was named the best Belgian player abroad. In other awards, Simon Mignolet of Club Brugge was honored as the Goalkeeper of the Year. His coach, Nicky Hayen, received the title of Coach of the Year, credited with leading the club to its 19th league title.
