For Youssef Ezzejjari, the match between Inter Kashi and East Bengal in the Indian Super League (ISL) was the most important match of his life. And of course he was sad when he was substituted in the 71st minute with the score at 1-1 – a goal that is the distance between East Bengal and its first men’s top-flight title in 22 years.
“I had the feeling that I didn’t want to leave the field with a draw,” recalled Ezzejjari, who had scored the equalizer for the Red and Gold Brigade in the match Sports stars via video call while sitting at his home in Barcelona. “I felt I could score the second because we created chances and I was confident.”
But two minutes after he was taken off the field, it no longer mattered. Mohammed Rashid had scored what would eventually become the winner, prompting around 8,000 East Bengal fans to storm the Kishore Bharati Krirangan pitch and carry Ezzejjari and his teammates on their shoulders, taking them to legendary status.
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«For the first time in my career (the kind of celebrations that followed) I have no words for the feelings I got at that moment. I still don’t believe it. It is something wonderful that I will carry with me for a lifetime. I still get goosebumps when I look at those scenes,» said the 33-year-old, who won the Golden Boot with eleven goals.
Bruzon’s call
Ezzejarri had arrived in India in early February, just a week before the start of the competition, which had been unnecessarily delayed due to the uncertain nature of the tournament. This meant that the Spanish striker came straight from his Singapore Premier League season with Tanjong Pagar United and jumped into the uncharted waters of Indian football.
«For me, adaptation is the key to success. I didn’t have a pre-season with the team, nor did I have a month. But the good thing was that I came from Singapore. The weather was just as warm. I’ve moved a lot within South East Asia, so I have the experience to adapt quickly,» he explains.
The attacker can be seen as a journeyman in the Southeast Asia region. Since 2021, Ezzejjari has played for eight clubs: four in Indonesia, one in Thailand, one in Singapore, one in Cambodia and one in Malaysia.
«When you play in South East Asia you get a lot of offers. I used to get offers from a lot of clubs. You have a better one so you try to move. It’s not like in Europe where you stay at a club for two or three years,» he explains.
It was during his time at one of the clubs that Ezzejjari was first given the opportunity to work with Oscar Bruzon, but the move did not materialize due to previous commitments. In the 2021-2022 season, while playing for Persik Kediri, his first Indonesian club where he scored 18 goals in 32 appearances, he received a call from Bruzon.
Youssef Ezzejjari, right, receives the ISL golden boot for his 11 goals. | Photo credit: Focus Sports/ISL
Youssef Ezzejjari, right, receives the ISL golden boot for his 11 goals. | Photo credit: Focus Sports/ISL
«He wanted me to join Bashundhara Kings (in Bangladesh) in 2021, after my season in Kediri. But at that time I already signed a pre-contract with Bhayangkara, one of the biggest teams in Indonesia. I really wanted to go because it was a Spanish coach who called you. When I got the chance in January, I didn’t think twice. I told him: ‘Yes, I will come, don’t worry. I will solve the situation here in Singapore.’ and then the rest is history,” Ezzejjari recalls, laughing.
See you next year?
Experiencing football in around 10 countries will expose you to different philosophies and the way the sport is played in those countries. When asked how the Indian football ecosystem is holding up against the players he has witnessed, Ezzejjari had nothing but praise.
«I was very impressed with the level and the organization. In terms of the competition it is very good and the stadiums are good. The level of the players is very good. I loved playing in India. Everyone in East Bengal treated me very well and you felt that it is a club with history,» he says.
The question that followed this admiration was of course whether Ezzejjari would play in India next season. But for that to happen, the league will need clarity about its future, something the Spaniard pointed out.
«Let’s see what will happen. Of course, as I said before, I was happy in India, but let’s see what the situation is with the federation and the league. Now it’s time to enjoy with the family after an intense few weeks,» he says.
For now, Ezzejjari’s focus will certainly shift to the upcoming World Cup, where both Spain (his home country) and Morocco (his roots) will be in action. However, he is unsure about who he will support at the tournament.
«Actually, my whole family is Moroccan. I was born in Spain, that’s why I have my passport there. My parents emigrated to Spain many years ago to have a better life. I’m 50-50 (who should I support). I will support both. It’s like they ask you: ‘Who do you like more, your mother or your father?’ I can’t choose. If they play against each other, I would like the match to end 0-0,” Ezzejjari replies.
Published on May 30, 2026
