Ilias Akhomach Chakkour, commonly known as Ilias Akhomach, was born on April 16, 2004, in Els Hostalets de Pierola, Spain. He is of Moroccan descent and represents Morocco internationally as a football player. His career began early when he joined the FC Barcelona academy in 2007, later spending some years at Gimnastic Manresa before returning to La Masia, FC Barcelona’s famed youth academy.
Akhomach’s professional debut came with FC Barcelona Atlètic in a match against Andorra in the third division on November 7, 2020. Despite limited appearances, his performances caught the attention of many, earning him high praise, including comparisons to Lionel Messi from Patrick Kluivert, then a director at Barcelona.
In November 2021, Akhomach appeared in his first match under Barcelona’s new coach Xavi during a derby against RCD Espanyol, contributing to a 1-0 victory. However, by the end of the 2022-2023 season, he decided not to renew his contract with Barcelona, and after a failed move to Leeds United, he signed with Villarreal CF in July 2023.
At Villarreal, Akhomach began with the reserve team but quickly made it to the first team, debuting in La Liga against RCD Mallorca on August 18, 2023. He has since been involved in several matches, including a notable game against his former club, Barcelona.
Internationally, Akhomach has represented both Morocco and Spain at various youth levels. He initially played for Morocco’s under-15 team, winning the North African Federation Union Championship. Later, he switched to represent Spain, playing for their under-16 through under-19 teams. Recently, in 2023, he opted to represent the Moroccan national team, aligning his international career with his heritage.