Moroccan defender Ismaël Baouf has officially been ranked among the six best U20 centre-backs in world football, according to the latest “Scouting 2025” report by the CIES Football Observatory.
These rankings focus on the young talents playing outside the major European leagues who are outperforming their teammates statistically and making the biggest impact in their respective clubs.
Baouf is a prime example and his progress lately has been nothing short of impressive
Outstanding numbers at SC Cambuur
The CIES ranking specifically sheds light on players evolving outside the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1, focusing on those who deliver the strongest performance levels relative to their team environment.
Baouf stood out for his ability to stabilize the defense and consistently influence matches statistically during the 2025/26 season with SC Cambuur in the Netherlands. His numbers prove why he earned a place in the global top six:
- 6 goals scored as a centre-back, underlining his threat from set pieces
- Average FotMob rating: 7.35
- More than 2,340 minutes played, confirming his status as an undisputed starter.
For a central defender, those attacking numbers are particularly striking.
Baouf’s rise at club level follows an exceptional 2025 on the international scene. He was one of the pillars of Morocco’s historic U20 World Cup title in October 2025, serving as a leader at the heart of the back line and widely seen as one of the team’s standout performers.
That momentum carried into 2026. His solid club form and success on the international stage have put him on the map globally, as shown in the latest CIES report.
Ismaël Baouf of SC Cambuur has been named the best player of the third period in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. pic.twitter.com/VCmiXZXA7j
— AlmarssadPro (@ProsMarocains) March 6, 2026
European clubs taking notice
Originally developed at R.S.C. Anderlecht, Baouf moved to Cambuur in August 2025 in search of regular playing time, a decision that appears to be paying off.
His performances have reportedly started attracting interest from major European clubs, including Borussia Dortmund and AFC Ajax.
Being ranked among the world’s top six U20 centre-backs is likely to intensify that attention.
Baouf is another sign of the country’s rapidly growing pool of elite young talent, and many now see him as a future cornerstone of the Atlas Lions’ senior defense.
Read also: Ismaël Baouf on Radar of Top European Clubs