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Yassine Bounou

Yassine Bounou, commonly known as Bono, is a Moroccan professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Al Hilal and the Morocco national team.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Yassine Bounou (born April 5, 1991), commonly known as Bono, is a Moroccan professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Al Hilal and the Morocco national team. He was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, to Moroccan parents and moved to Morocco as a child. He built most of his club career in Spain, including spells with Sevilla where he won the UEFA Europa League in 2020.

Early life

Bounou was born in Montreal, Quebec, to Moroccan parents and later moved to Morocco during childhood. He developed in Moroccan football before beginning his professional career.

Club career

His career included loan and permanent spells in Spain with Atlético Madrid, Zaragoza, Girona and Sevilla. He became Sevilla’s first-choice goalkeeper and later transferred to Al Hilal.

International career

Bounou has represented Morocco since 2013 and has featured in major tournaments for the national team. He is known for strong shot-stopping and penalty shootout performances.

Honours and recognition

His honours include the 2020 UEFA Europa League title with Sevilla. He has also received individual recognition for his goalkeeping performances at club and international level.

Key facts

  • Bounou is a goalkeeper for Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal and the Morocco national team.
  • He was born in Montreal and moved to Morocco as a child.
  • He spent much of his club career in Spain, including spells with Zaragoza, Girona and Sevilla.
  • He won the UEFA Europa League with Sevilla in 2020.
  • He has been a long-time international for Morocco, with senior appearances since 2013.
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Canadian context

Bounou was born in Montreal, making him a Canadian-born international footballer who chose to represent Morocco.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Yassine Bounou?
He is a Moroccan professional football goalkeeper who plays for Al Hilal and the Morocco national team.
Why is he called Bono?
Bono is his commonly used nickname and mononym in football coverage.
Where was Yassine Bounou born?
He was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Which clubs has he played for?
His club career has included Atlético Madrid, Zaragoza, Girona, Sevilla and Al Hilal.
Has he won a major European trophy?
Yes. He won the UEFA Europa League with Sevilla in 2020.
Which national team does he represent?
He represents Morocco at senior international level.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yassine_Bounou
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, position, current club, and Morocco national team
  2. USA Today — https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/worldcup/2026/07/09/morocco-goalkeeper-yassine-bounou-quarterfinals/90866326007/
    Supports: Born in Montreal, moved to Morocco as a child, Al Hilal status, and career recognition
  3. The Athletic — https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7418575/2026/07/04/bounou-morocco-canada-world-cup-2026-last-16-penalty/
    Supports: International career with Morocco, transfer to Al Hilal, and penalty shootout reputation
  4. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/stats/_/id/175149/yassine-bounou
    Supports: Player profile, position, club affiliation, birth date, and birthplace
  5. Premier League — https://www.premierleague.com/en/players/120026/yassine-bounou/overview
    Supports: Nationality, date of birth, and player profile details