Literally, he was born in Montreal, Canada to Moroccan parents. He then travelled 5km to Morocco at a young age, joining local club Wydad Casablanca from the age of eight and making nine league appearances for them over two seasons before heading to Atlético Madrid in Spain on a pay cut. With Thibaut Courtois, Sergio Asenjo and Joel Robles all on the Atlético roster,Yassine bounou played for the B team in the second division and never played for them in La Liga.Impressing for Zaragoza in the second division while on loan, he signed for Girona in 2016 and helped them win promotion. Two good spells in the top flight earned him a loan deal with Sevilla in 2019 before that move was made permanent a year later after helping the club win the Europa League.Since then, he has been Sevilla's first-choice goalkeeper, winning the Zamora Trophy for posting the lowest goals-to-game ratio in the 2021/22 season, conceding just 24 goals in 31 games. He is the first Sevilla and African player to win the prestigious award.
On Tuesday, Bounou kept Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets out of the penalty spot, while Pablo Sarabia hit the post (Bounou guessed the right way). It should come as no surprise that he became the first African goalkeeper to stop two penalties in a World Cup penalty shootout. After all, the 31-year-old has been awarded 50 penalties in his career, saving 13 of them. As Moroccan midfielder Azzedine Ounahi told ESPN: “We trust him. We know he’s a great goalkeeper. We knew if we got to the penalty shootout, he would do the job for us. And he did. Spain didn’t even score a goal. Only one penalty.” However, Bounou remained modest in his comments to ESPN: “It was incredible. It’s a historic moment. I didn’t even prepare much for the penalty shootout.” There was so much pressure in the game, so I just tried to enjoy it. "With penalties, it's instinct, a bit of luck and not much else." Bounou's composure and skill under pressure have made him a hero for Morocco. Despite his achievements, he maintains a humble and grounded outlook, focusing on team success rather than individual accolades. His performance has drawn admiration from teammates and opponents alike.
According to football website Transfermarkt, Yassine bounou has an impressive 109 clean sheets in 334 club games. For the Moroccan national team, his record is even more remarkable, with 31 clean sheets in 49 games. That translates to an average of one clean sheet every 2,7 games. Some of the world's best strikers don't even score that often. Bounou's ability to consistently keep the ball out of his net is a testament to his talent and dedication as a goalkeeper. Time and again, he has proven to be a rock-solid last line of defense for both club and country. Beyond the raw statistics, Bounou's composure and decision-making under pressure have been integral to Morocco's success. Not only is he a gifted shot-stopper, he is also an imposing presence who commands his defence with authority. At just 31, Bounou has already cemented his status as one of the most reliable and consistent keepers in the game. With his prime still ahead of him, Moroccan fans can expect many more dominant performances from their inspiring number one.
Nicknamed ‘Bono’, Bounou is a true rock star on both ends of the pitch. In March 2021, with Sevilla trailing 1-0 at Real Valladolid, he bravely stepped up to attack a corner – and scored his first and only professional goal. This unexpected moment of goal-scoring magic perfectly sums up Bounou’s all-round abilities as a goalkeeper. He’s not content to simply keep the ball out of his own net; he’s always eager to contribute to his team’s attacking play whenever the opportunity presents itself. Bounou’s willingness to take on an unusual attacking role and his ability to execute it successfully speaks volumes about his confidence, composure and commitment to the collective cause. It’s a rare trait among elite goalkeepers, and one that has undoubtedly endeared him to Sevilla’s passionate supporters. Off the pitch, Bounou’s likeable personality and humble demeanour have also made him a fan favourite. He carries himself with a refreshing lack of ego, always quick to deflect praise and give his teammates credit for the team's success. Whether he's making a series of acrobatic saves or scoring a crucial goal, Bono consistently demonstrates the qualities of a true leader and team player. It's no wonder he's become such a beloved figure, not just in Sevilla, but across the world of football.
While Yassine bounou is generally known for his calm and gentle demeanor, he couldn't help but get motivated during a 2021 Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund and their star striker, Erling Haaland. During the match, Bounou's competitive spirit shone through. He tipped Haaland's penalty onto the post, then denied the Norwegian on the rebound and celebrated passionately in front of Haaland. However, the VAR ordered a replay as Bounou had left his line before the initial spot-kick. Haaland made no mistake with his second chance and returned the favor, goading Bounou after he found the back of the net. Now with Manchester City, Haaland reflected on the incident, saying: "I missed, then he cheated. Then I took it back and scored when he wasn't cheating. When he was screaming in my face after the first one, I thought ‘it’ll be even better to score another goal’ – and that’s what happened, so it was good… Maybe that’s karma in this world.” Bounou’s spirited celebration and willingness to engage in a bit of play with the fearsome Haaland demonstrated his fierce competitive spirit and refusal to be intimidated, even by one of the world’s most prolific young strikers. It’s a side of Bounou that is rarely seen, but one that highlights his passion and determination to succeed at the highest level.