# Ismaël Bennacer
**Ismaël Bennacer** (born 1997 in Arles, France) is an Algerian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder, most often as a defensive midfielder or deep-lying playmaker, and is currently with the Qatari club Al Gharafa. A left-footed, 175 cm midfielder, he won the 2019 [Africa Cup of Nations](https://www.edgepedia.org/africa-cup-of-nations) with Algeria and was named Player of the [Tournament](https://www.edgepedia.org/tournament), and he won [Serie A](https://www.edgepedia.org/serie-a) with AC Milan in 2021/22.[1](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/9468-bennacer-ismael/fiche.html) • [2](https://theanalyst.com/players/4382/ismael-bennacer)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1997, Arles (Bouches-du-Rhône), France; 175 cm, 70 kg; preferred foot left[1](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/9468-bennacer-ismael/fiche.html) |
| Position | Midfielder (CM-DM), capable of regista, box-to-box, and attacking midfield roles[3](https://fbref.com/en/players/db092d3b/Ismael-Bennacer) |
| Club career | Arles-Avignon, Arsenal, Tours (loan), Empoli, AC Milan (2019–2025), loans to Marseille and Dinamo Zagreb, Al Gharafa[1](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/9468-bennacer-ismael/fiche.html) • [4](https://theanalyst.com/players/4382/ismael-bennacer/career) |
| Milan record | 137 appearances, 8,811 minutes, 7 goals, 7 assists across Serie A and European competition, 2019 to 2024/25[4](https://theanalyst.com/players/4382/ismael-bennacer/career) |
| Honors | AFCON 2019 (Algeria), Serie A 2022 and Supercoppa Italiana 2024 (Milan), Serie B 2018 (Empoli)[1](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/9468-bennacer-ismael/fiche.html) |
| Individual award | Player of the Tournament, 2019 Africa Cup of Nations[1](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/9468-bennacer-ismael/fiche.html) |
| Algeria caps | 29 appearances, 1 goal, 4 assists, 2017 to 2026[5](https://theanalyst.com/players/4382/ismael-bennacer/national/career) |
## Early career in France and England
Bennacer's career began at Arles-Avignon, in the city of his birth. Bennacer, having recently turned 17, made his debut for the Arles first team in a [Coupe de France](https://www.edgepedia.org/coupe-de-france) match away at Red Star FC in Paris on 3 January 2015; his team fell 2-1, with his strike accounting for their lone goal. Six days later he made his [Ligue 2](https://www.edgepedia.org/ligue-2) debut.[6](https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/stats/2019-08-06/focus-ismael-bennacer)
In summer 2015 he signed for Arsenal, joining the Under-23 side, where he made 23 appearances. His only first-team appearance came on 27 October 2015, when he replaced [Theo Walcott](https://www.edgepedia.org/theo-walcott) in the 19th minute of a 3-0 League Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.[6](https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/stats/2019-08-06/focus-ismael-bennacer) In January 2017 he went on loan to Tours in Ligue 2, recording 16 appearances and 1 goal in half a season.[6](https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/stats/2019-08-06/focus-ismael-bennacer)
## Empoli and the breakout
In the summer of 2017 Bennacer moved to Empoli, again on loan from Arsenal, in what proved the turning point of his career: with 39 appearances and 2 goals he stood out as the driving force behind Empoli's promotion to Serie A, winning the 2017/18 [Serie B](https://www.edgepedia.org/serie-b) title.[6](https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/stats/2019-08-06/focus-ismael-bennacer) • [1](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/9468-bennacer-ismael/fiche.html) He then signed for Empoli permanently and became the central figure of Aurelio Andreazzoli's system, playing 38 league games in 2018/19 and missing only one through suspension, though the club was relegated.[6](https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/stats/2019-08-06/focus-ismael-bennacer)
That season established his profile. Deployed mostly as the holding midfielder in a 4-1-3-2 formation, he combined build-up quality with ball-winning: he recovered the ball 312 times, more than any other outfield player in Serie A that year.[6](https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/stats/2019-08-06/focus-ismael-bennacer) • [7](https://footballbh.net/2019/09/13/ismael-bennacer-2019-20-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics/) He also recorded 3 assists in the league and created 3 goals in 7 appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations.[6](https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/stats/2019-08-06/focus-ismael-bennacer)
## AC Milan
Milan signed Bennacer from Empoli on 4 August 2019 on a five-year contract, after Arsenal declined to keep him.[8](https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/media/2019-08-04/ismael-bennacer-is-a-new-ac-milan-player) • [9](https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Milan/19-07-2019/estate-magica-bennacer-empoli-trionfo-africa-col-milan-futuro-3401009387851.shtml) He was one of six summer arrivals under new manager Marco Giampaolo, and under Giampaolo and then [Stefano Pioli](https://www.edgepedia.org/stefano-pioli) he was used in 4-3-3, 4-3-1-2, 4-2-4, and 4-2-3-1 systems, initiating attacks from deep with short, well-chosen passes.[7](https://footballbh.net/2019/09/13/ismael-bennacer-2019-20-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics/) • [10](https://footballbh.net/2020/05/19/ismael-bennacer-201920-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics/) In his first Milan season he completed 91% of his passes in his own half.[10](https://footballbh.net/2020/05/19/ismael-bennacer-201920-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics/)
**Peak years.** Bennacer was part of the Milan side that won the 2021/22 Serie A title, and in 2022/23 he had his best season at the club, with 40 matches, 3 goals, and 2 assists, while his market value reached a peak of €40 million according to Transfermarkt.[1](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/9468-bennacer-ismael/fiche.html) • [11](https://lechodalgerie.dz/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ED-4132-du-11-03-2026.pdf) In the 2022/23 Champions League he scored the goal that eliminated Napoli in the quarterfinals, sending Milan to the semifinals.[12](https://gnkdinamo.hr/en/news/ismael-bennacer-novi-igrac-dinama) Tactically he anchored Pioli's midfield that season, averaging 11.47 ball recoveries per 90 minutes, 57.6% of them in the opposition half, which supported Milan's high press.[13](https://totalfootballanalysis.com/player-analysis/ismael-bennacer-at-ac-milan-202223-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics)
**The knee injury.** In the first leg of the Champions League semifinal against [Inter Milan](https://www.edgepedia.org/inter-milan) on 10 May 2023, Bennacer was substituted in the 17th minute with a right knee injury. He underwent surgery in Lyon on 16 May to repair a cartilage lesion, and Milan announced a recovery time of at least six months.[14](https://theprint.in/sport/soccer-milans-bennacer-out-for-six-months-after-knee-surgery/1577365/) The injury marked a turning point: recurring physical problems limited his availability in subsequent seasons.[11](https://lechodalgerie.dz/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ED-4132-du-11-03-2026.pdf)
Across his Milan years, 2019 to 2024/25, he made 137 appearances in Serie A and European competition, with 7 goals and 7 assists.[4](https://theanalyst.com/players/4382/ismael-bennacer/career)
## Algeria and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations
Bennacer represented France at Under-18 and Under-19 level, then chose Algeria. Eligible for France, the country of his birth, or Morocco, his mother's country, he opted for Algeria, his father's country, in 2016.[1](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/9468-bennacer-ismael/fiche.html) • [15](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Ismael-bennacer-choisit-l-algerie/712134) His senior debut came on 4 September 2016 in a 6-0 win over Lesotho in AFCON qualification.[8](https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/media/2019-08-04/ismael-bennacer-is-a-new-ac-milan-player)
At the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations he played all 7 matches and created 3 goals as [Algeria](https://www.edgepedia.org/algeria) won the tournament, the country's first title in 29 years, and he was named Player of the Tournament.[6](https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/stats/2019-08-06/focus-ismael-bennacer) • [8](https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/media/2019-08-04/ismael-bennacer-is-a-new-ac-milan-player) His international career with Algeria ran from 2017 to 2026, totaling 29 caps, 1 goal, and 4 assists.[5](https://theanalyst.com/players/4382/ismael-bennacer/national/career)
## Playing style
Bennacer is a left-footed central midfielder whose defining traits are ball retention and progression under pressure. Analysts describe him as a deep-lying playmaker who shields the ball, dribbles out of pressure, and distributes, rather than a long-range passer; his passing is short, accurate, and tempo-setting.[10](https://footballbh.net/2020/05/19/ismael-bennacer-201920-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics/) He can play as a regista-type defensive midfielder, a box-to-box midfielder, or an attacking midfielder, and he contributes defensively through positioning, anticipation, and pressing.[13](https://totalfootballanalysis.com/player-analysis/ismael-bennacer-at-ac-milan-202223-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics) His limitations are physical: analysts note vulnerability against physically imposing opponents, particularly in aerial duels, and a susceptibility to injuries.[11](https://lechodalgerie.dz/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ED-4132-du-11-03-2026.pdf)
## Later moves, 2025 onward
In February 2025 Milan loaned Bennacer to Olympique Marseille with an option to buy. He provided two assists in 12 [Ligue 1](https://www.edgepedia.org/ligue-1) matches for [Marseille](https://www.edgepedia.org/marseille) in the 2024/25 season.[16](https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/media/2025-02-03/official-statement-ismael-bennacer) • [17](https://www.rotowire.com/soccer/player/ismael-bennacer-26401)
In September 2025 he joined [GNK Dinamo Zagreb](https://www.edgepedia.org/gnk-dinamo-zagreb) on a one-year loan with an option to buy, with Dinamo paying 40% of his salary. At Dinamo he rejoined [Zvonimir Boban](https://www.edgepedia.org/zvonimir-boban), the club's president, who had signed him for Milan when Boban was a director there.[12](https://gnkdinamo.hr/en/news/ismael-bennacer-novi-igrac-dinama) • [18](https://www.ansa.it/lombardia/notizie/2025/09/05/milan-bennacer-lascia-e-approda-alla-dinamo-zagabria_7fea176f-809d-4e56-937f-6299bf8d887c.html) He made 18 Croatian league appearances in 2025/26, with 1 goal and 2 assists.[4](https://theanalyst.com/players/4382/ismael-bennacer/career) In July 2026 his contract with Milan was terminated and he signed for Al Gharafa in Qatar, where he began the 2026/27 Stars League season.[2](https://theanalyst.com/players/4382/ismael-bennacer) • [3](https://fbref.com/en/players/db092d3b/Ismael-Bennacer)
## References
1. [Ismaël Bennacer player profile, Fédération Française de Football](https://www.fff.fr/equipe-nationale/joueur/9468-bennacer-ismael/fiche.html)
2. [Ismaël Bennacer, Opta Analyst](https://theanalyst.com/players/4382/ismael-bennacer)
3. [Ismaël Bennacer, FBref](https://fbref.com/en/players/db092d3b/Ismael-Bennacer)
4. [Ismaël Bennacer Career History, Opta Analyst](https://theanalyst.com/players/4382/ismael-bennacer/career)
5. [Ismaël Bennacer International Career History, Opta Analyst](https://theanalyst.com/players/4382/ismael-bennacer/national/career)
6. [Focus: Ismaël Bennacer, AC Milan (6 August 2019)](https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/stats/2019-08-06/focus-ismael-bennacer)
7. [Ismael Bennacer 2019/20 scout report, Football Benchmark](https://footballbh.net/2019/09/13/ismael-bennacer-2019-20-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics/)
8. [Ismaël Bennacer is a new AC Milan player, AC Milan (4 August 2019)](https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/media/2019-08-04/ismael-bennacer-is-a-new-ac-milan-player)
9. [L'estate magica di Bennacer, La Gazzetta dello Sport (19 July 2019)](https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Milan/19-07-2019/estate-magica-bennacer-empoli-trionfo-africa-col-milan-futuro-3401009387851.shtml)
10. [Ismael Bennacer 2019/2020 scout report, Football Benchmark](https://footballbh.net/2020/05/19/ismael-bennacer-201920-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics/)
11. [Le Choc de l'Algérie, edition of 11 March 2026](https://lechodalgerie.dz/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ED-4132-du-11-03-2026.pdf)
12. [Ismael Bennacer novi igrač Dinama, GNK Dinamo Zagreb (4 September 2025)](https://gnkdinamo.hr/en/news/ismael-bennacer-novi-igrac-dinama)
13. [Ismaël Bennacer Scout Report at AC Milan 2022/2023, Total Football Analysis](https://totalfootballanalysis.com/player-analysis/ismael-bennacer-at-ac-milan-202223-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics)
14. [Milan's Bennacer out for six months after knee surgery, Reuters via ThePrint (16 May 2023)](https://theprint.in/sport/soccer-milans-bennacer-out-for-six-months-after-knee-surgery/1577365/)
15. [Ismaël Bennacer choisit l'Algérie, L'Équipe](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Ismael-bennacer-choisit-l-algerie/712134)
16. [Official statement: Ismaël Bennacer, AC Milan (3 February 2025)](https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/media/2025-02-03/official-statement-ismael-bennacer)
17. [Ismael Bennacer Soccer Stats & News, RotoWire](https://www.rotowire.com/soccer/player/ismael-bennacer-26401)
18. [Milan: Bennacer lascia e approda alla Dinamo Zagabria, ANSA (5 September 2025)](https://www.ansa.it/lombardia/notizie/2025/09/05/milan-bennacer-lascia-e-approda-alla-dinamo-zagabria_7fea176f-809d-4e56-937f-6299bf8d887c.html)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Association football › Football people and teams › People › Men's footballers of Africa › Maghreb footballers*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license