Mohamed Islam Abdelkader has been named the leading player in our #TalentsAlgeriens series after making an immediate impact at MC Alger.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder joined MC Alger from Paradou AC this summer alongside Ben Ahmed Kohili and has started every match for his new club under Khaled Ben Yahia.
Abdelkader’s performance against Nigelec in the second leg of their Champions League tie underlined why he tops a subjective list of 25 young players to watch in the 2026/27 Algerian Ligue 1 season. He repeatedly demanded the ball, took on defenders, attempted ambitious skills and used several roulettes to evade pressure, with clips of his performance quickly spreading on social media.
Yet his technique was not simply about showmanship. His dribbling was generally used to escape pressure, create space or increase the speed of an attack.
Born on 6 February 2004 in Reghaia, Abdelkader is the oldest player included in the selection. That is an intentional exception to the age criteria, reflecting both his current level and the progress he has already made.
From dribbler to more complete midfielder
Radhi Jaidi, who coached Abdelkader at Paradou AC during the 2024/25 season, saw a player whose first instinct was to beat opponents individually. The former Tunisia international worked to improve his decision-making, particularly by teaching him to recognise when passing was more effective than dribbling.
That development is now evident at MC Alger. Abdelkader still carries the spontaneity that excites supporters when he receives the ball against a defender, but the spectacular move is no longer always the destination. It has become a tool.
His role has also changed over time. Competition at Paradou AC, including with Adil Boulbina, encouraged the coaching staff to deploy him in different positions. Sofiane Benkhelifa, a coach and youth developer who has worked with USMA, Olympique Akbou and ES Setif, describes a player who often starts wide before moving inside, a movement he compares with Arjen Robben while stressing that the comparison concerns only the movement, not the level.
That tendency is complemented by a powerful shot. Mourad Bounefouf, Paradou’s coordinator, recalls Abdelkader scoring from about 30 metres against Rais M’Bolhi while playing for ESM. Azzedine Ait Djoudi, another former Paradou coach, has also highlighted the quality of his finishing.
Progress beyond the ball
Jaidi also focused on Abdelkader’s work after possession was lost. Sofiene Hidoussi continued that process at Paradou, encouraging him to move into different areas and exchange positions more often.
The player who once concentrated heavily on his own action has gradually learned to move for his team-mates. That gives him more solutions at MC Alger, where possession must be used to shift compact defensive blocks.
The move to a club with a much larger support base, immediate expectations and considerably greater media attention could have slowed his progress. Instead, Abdelkader has continued to ask for the ball and take risks in important matches.
His calmness away from the pitch has also impressed those who have worked with him. Jaidi describes him as receptive, attentive and professional, while Benkhelifa rates his mentality highly.
Abdelkader’s position at the top of the list also completes an all-Paradou podium. Ramdaoui is second and Kohili third, with all three leaving Paradou AC during the same summer. Ramdaoui has developed into a powerful, complete centre-forward, while Kohili has shown an outstanding instinct for scoring in tight spaces.
Abdelkader made 27 league appearances for Paradou last season and scored six goals, so his move was not a leap from youth football into the senior game. Within weeks, he has reproduced his influence in a more demanding environment.
Discussion of a possible Algeria senior-team future has already begun, although it would be premature to view that as an immediate or inevitable next step. For now, his response to the move is emphatic: he has retained his flair while learning when it can best serve the team.