Ayoub El Hmidi (; born 30 September 2000) is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or forward for UAE First Division League side Al Dhaid. Born in Morocco, he plays for the Gibraltar national team.
Club career Born in Ksar el-Kebir, Morocco, El Hmidi spent part of his childhood there, where he began playing at a local academy before moving with his family to Gibraltar at around fifteen. In Gibraltar, he began his career with Lions Gibraltar, as a youth product, and made two appearances during his debut season before signing with Glacis United, where he didn't play a league game. In 2018, he joined Mons Calpe, for whom he scored 17 goals in 56 league appearances over four seasons. He also appeared twice in the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League.
In 2022 El Hmidi signed for Europa for their UEFA Europa Conference League campaign, and after the Greens' exit from the competition he joined St Joseph's.Breaking: Saints sign El Hmidi St Joseph's FC. 13 August 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2023. After one season he signed for CD Torrijos in Spain on 13 July 2023. However, paperwork issues delayed his debut for the club.Ayoub podría debutar contra el Atlético Tomelloso La Tribuna de Toledo. 26 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023. After terminating his contract in December due to these registration issues, he relocated to Morocco in January 2024, joining KAC Marrakech on a two-and-a-half year contract and becoming the first Gibraltarian footballer to play in Africa.El gibraltareño Ayoub firma por el KAW Marrakech Al Sol de la Costa. 7 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024. Despite this, after only a month at the club where he only played in friendlies, he terminated his contract at the end of the winter 2024 window and returned to Gibraltar, joining FCB Magpies.
At the end of the season, El Hmidi returned to North Africa, joining newly promoted Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 side AS Gabès. His contract was terminated by the club in January 2025 following an alleged dispute with coaching staff.AS Gabès: Termination of player Ayoub El Hmidi's contract Mosaique FM. 30 December 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2025. He instead returned to Morocco to join USM d'Oujda on 24 January 2025. He scored his first goal in Morocco on 5 April 2025, netting the winner in extra time against top flight side Raja CA in the 2024–25 Moroccan Throne Cup Round of 16.Match Report Kooora. 5 April 2025. Retrieved 7 April 2025. At the end of the season he left the club and joined newly promoted Saudi Second Division League side Jubbah Club. On 30 October 2025, he scored the opening goal in a 2–1 away win over Al-Shoulla, Jubbah's first leage win of the season. After an impressive season in Saudi Arabia, where he scored 13 goals in 29 appearances, he moved to the United Arab Emirates in July 2026, joining Al Dhaid.
International career El Hmidi was previously the record caps holder for Gibraltar U21 with 18 caps, broken by Dylan Borge in November 2023. He made his senior debut on 16 June 2023, in a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying match against France, which finished as a 0–3 loss.Gibraltar vs France UEFA.com. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
Personal life El Hmidi is Muslim. While representing Gibraltar during Ramadan in 2025, he discussed balancing fasting with his preparations for international matches.
References
External links
Ayoub El Hmidi at Gibraltar Football Association