Yacine Adli: French Midfielder’s Journey from PSG to Al-Shabab
Discover his age, early life, club career, playing style, France youth record, achievements and current role in Saudi football.
Introduction
Yacine Adli is a French professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League. He was born on 29 July 2000 in Vitry-sur-Seine, France, and is 25 years old as of 25 July 2026.
Adli developed in the Paris Saint-Germain academy before playing for Bordeaux, AC Milan and Fiorentina. He is best known for his passing vision, close control and ability to play in several midfield positions.
Yacine Adli Quick Facts
| Detail | Verified Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Yacine Adli |
| Date of birth | 29 July 2000 |
| Age | 25 years old as of 25 July 2026 |
| Birthplace | Vitry-sur-Seine, France |
| Nationality | French |
| Profession | Professional footballer |
| Position | Midfielder |
| Preferred foot | Right |
| Height | 1.86 metres |
| Weight | 73 kilograms |
| Current club | Al-Shabab FC |
| Shirt number | 29 |
| Former clubs | Paris Saint-Germain, Bordeaux, AC Milan and Fiorentina |
| France youth record | 49 appearances and 17 goals |
| Famous for | Passing, creativity and midfield versatility |
The French Football Federation lists Adli as a right-footed midfielder who stands 1.86 metres tall and weighs 73 kilograms. The Saudi Pro League lists him as Al-Shabab’s number 29.
Who Is Yacine Adli?
Yacine Adli is a creative midfielder who can help his team build attacks from deep areas or operate closer to the forwards.
He can receive the ball under pressure, move it quickly and look for passes between defenders. During different stages of his career, coaches have used him as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder and deep-lying playmaker.
His journey has taken him through three major football countries. He began in France, continued his development in Italy and later moved to Saudi Arabia.
Like experienced Spanish midfielder Sergio Canales, Adli has shown that a creative player can adjust to different clubs, leagues and tactical roles.
Early Life in France
Adli was born in Vitry-sur-Seine, a town in the southeastern suburbs of Paris. He grew up close to Villejuif, where he began playing organised football.
He joined US Villejuif in September 2006, when he was six years old. He remained there until 2013 before entering the Paris Saint-Germain youth system.
Football was not his only childhood interest. AC Milan reported that Adli attended a music academy with his siblings, learned to play the violin and later developed an interest in the piano.
He also enjoyed swimming, judo and chess. These activities gave him a varied childhood before professional football became his main career.
Paris Saint-Germain Academy Development
Adli entered the PSG academy in July 2013.
He progressed through the youth teams and became one of the academy’s most highly rated midfielders. He helped PSG win the French national Under-17 championship in 2016 and 2017.
In 2017, he received the Titi d’Or. This award recognises a leading young player in the PSG academy and has also been won by several footballers who later established successful senior careers.
Adli made his senior PSG debut in 2018. Although he played only one Ligue 1 match for the first team, he was part of the club during a title-winning season.
He won the 2017–18 Ligue 1 title and Coupe de la Ligue as a member of the PSG squad.
Move to Bordeaux
Adli joined Girondins de Bordeaux in January 2019.
The move was important because he needed regular senior football. At Bordeaux, he received more opportunities to start matches, control possession and develop his decision-making.
He became an established Ligue 1 player and showed that he could create chances from central areas. His performances attracted interest from AC Milan.
When Milan announced his signing in August 2021, the Italian club stated that he had scored five goals in 72 Bordeaux appearances at that point.
AC Milan Transfer
AC Milan signed Adli permanently from Bordeaux on 31 August 2021.
His Milan contract was set to run until 30 June 2026. However, the agreement allowed him to remain with Bordeaux on loan for the full 2021–22 season.
He officially joined Milan’s playing squad during the summer of 2022.
His first season in Italy was challenging because he received limited playing time. Milan had several experienced midfielders, and Adli needed time to understand a different league and tactical system.
Instead of giving up, he continued training and learning.
Breakthrough at AC Milan
Adli received more opportunities during the 2023–24 season.
One of the biggest changes was his move into a deeper midfield position. Rather than playing only behind the forwards, he began operating in front of the defence.
This role required him to collect the ball from defenders, remain calm under pressure and begin attacks with accurate passes.
He scored his first competitive Milan goal against Roma on 14 January 2024. His performance helped Milan win the Serie A match 3–1.
The goal was an important moment because it showed the progress he had made after a difficult first season.
Fiorentina Loan
Adli joined Fiorentina on loan for the 2024–25 season.
The move gave him another chance to play regular Serie A football. He appeared in 26 league matches and scored four goals during the campaign.
He also competed in European football with Fiorentina. The club reached the UEFA Conference League semi-finals before being eliminated by Real Betis.
Adli’s Fiorentina period included an emotional goal against AC Milan. He showed respect to his parent club by avoiding a large celebration.
His time in Florence helped him demonstrate his shooting ability, passing range and value in attacking positions.
Permanent Transfer to Al-Shabab
On 11 September 2025, AC Milan officially confirmed Adli’s permanent transfer to Al-Shabab.
The move ended his time with Milan and opened a new stage of his career in the Saudi Pro League.
As of July 2026, he remains an Al-Shabab midfielder and wears shirt number 29.
His official Saudi Pro League profile records 26 appearances, one goal and three assists during the 2025–26 league season. He also received two yellow cards and no red cards.
The move gave Adli a chance to become an important senior player rather than continuing to compete for limited minutes at Milan.
Yacine Adli Club Career Timeline
- 2006–2013: US Villejuif
- 2013–2019: Paris Saint-Germain
- 2019–2022: Bordeaux
- 2021–2022: Remained at Bordeaux on loan after signing for Milan
- 2022–2024: AC Milan
- 2024–2025: Fiorentina on loan
- July–September 2025: Returned to AC Milan
- September 2025–present: Al-Shabab
This career path shows his progression from youth football in France to professional competitions in France, Italy and Saudi Arabia.
France Youth Career
Adli represented France at under-16, under-17, under-18, under-19 and under-20 levels.
His official youth record is:
- France U16: 10 appearances and four goals
- France U17: 16 appearances and six goals
- France U18: Seven appearances and three goals
- France U19: 11 appearances and three goals
- France U20: Five appearances and one goal
These numbers produce a total of 49 youth international appearances and 17 goals.
He played in major youth tournaments, including the UEFA European Under-17 Championship and the FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
He has not made a senior appearance for France.
Playing Style and Main Strengths
Adli is a technical midfielder who prefers to influence a match through intelligence and passing rather than physical power alone.
His main strengths include:
- Forward passing
- Long-range distribution
- Close ball control
- Vision in crowded areas
- Set-piece delivery
- Ability to change the direction of an attack
- Comfort in different midfield roles
- Shooting from outside the penalty area
He often looks for a difficult forward pass when a simpler sideways option is available. This can create scoring chances, although it can also carry some risk.
His height also helps him compete for the ball, but his main value comes from his technical skill and understanding of space.
Work Ethic and Football Mindset
Adli has publicly described football as a major part of his daily life.
AC Milan reported that he once said he wakes up thinking about football and continues thinking about it before going to sleep. His former youth coach also recalled that Adli once wanted to sleep at the stadium so he would already be there for the next match.
This dedication helped him recover from periods when he was not playing regularly.
Young players often receive attention before they are fully developed. The progress of young football talent Julian Hall provides another example of why training, patience and good decisions remain important after an early breakthrough.
Musical and Personal Interests
Adli’s musical background is one of the more unusual parts of his story.
He learned the violin as a child and later played the piano. Music may appear very different from football, but both activities require concentration, timing and regular practice.
He has also shown an interest in art, culture and chess. These interests have helped create a public image that goes beyond his work on the football field.
Charity Work in Villejuif
Adli created the Yacine Adli Association to support disadvantaged young people in Villejuif.
According to AC Milan, the organisation focuses on six main areas: humanitarian support, the environment, culture, education, sport and administrative help.
Adli has said that he manages the association with support from members of his family and friends.
This project is closely connected to the community where he grew up and began playing football.
Major Achievements
Adli’s verified achievements include:
- Ligue 1 champion with Paris Saint-Germain in 2017–18
- Coupe de la Ligue winner with Paris Saint-Germain in 2017–18
- French national Under-17 champion with PSG in 2016
- French national Under-17 champion with PSG in 2017
- Titi d’Or winner in 2017
- France youth international at five age levels
- More than 150 appearances across major European leagues
- UEFA Conference League semi-finalist with Fiorentina
- Established Saudi Pro League midfielder with Al-Shabab
His honours began during his youth career, but his greatest individual progress came through regular senior football at Bordeaux, Milan, Fiorentina and Al-Shabab.
Why Is Yacine Adli Well Known?
Adli is well known because he developed at one of Europe’s largest academies and later played in Ligue 1, Serie A and the Saudi Pro League.
Supporters also recognise him for his elegant style. He can slow a match down, study the movement around him and then produce a pass that changes the attack.
His career has not followed a straight path. He moved from being a leading PSG prospect to regular football at Bordeaux, a difficult beginning at Milan, a stronger second Milan season and a new opportunity with Al-Shabab.
That journey shows that talented players must often adapt several times before finding the right role.
Current Status
As of July 2026, Yacine Adli plays for Al-Shabab in Saudi Arabia.
He completed the 2025–26 Saudi Pro League season with 26 appearances, one goal and three assists. The league’s official record also lists him in the Al-Shabab squad for 2026–27.
At 25, he remains in an important stage of his career. He already has experience in French, Italian, European and Saudi competitions, but he still has time to develop further.
Interesting Facts About Yacine Adli
- He began organised football at six years old.
- He joined the PSG academy in 2013.
- He won the Titi d’Or as PSG’s leading academy talent in 2017.
- He can play several midfield positions.
- He learned to play the violin and piano.
- He enjoyed swimming and judo during childhood.
- He is also interested in chess.
- He represented France at five youth levels.
- He scored 17 goals for France’s youth teams.
- He founded an association to help young people in Villejuif.
- He played in both Ligue 1 and Serie A before moving to Saudi Arabia.
- He wears number 29 for Al-Shabab.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Yacine Adli?
Yacine Adli is 25 years old as of 25 July 2026. He was born on 29 July 2000.
Where was Yacine Adli born?
He was born in Vitry-sur-Seine in the Val-de-Marne area of France.
Which club does Yacine Adli play for?
He plays for Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League.
What position does Yacine Adli play?
He is a midfielder. He can play centrally, in an attacking role or as a deeper playmaker.
What shirt number does Yacine Adli wear?
He wears number 29 for Al-Shabab.
How tall is Yacine Adli?
He is 1.86 metres, or approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall.
Did Yacine Adli play for AC Milan?
Yes. Milan signed him from Bordeaux in 2021. He joined their playing squad in 2022 and later spent the 2024–25 season on loan at Fiorentina.
Has Yacine Adli played for France?
He represented France at several youth levels but has not played for the senior national team.
How many France youth appearances did he make?
He made 49 appearances and scored 17 goals across the under-16 to under-20 teams.
What are his main football strengths?
His main strengths are passing vision, close control, creativity and the ability to operate in different midfield positions.
Conclusion
Yacine Adli has built a wide-ranging football career despite still being in his mid-twenties.
He developed at Paris Saint-Germain, gained regular senior experience with Bordeaux and entered Italian football with AC Milan. After a productive loan at Fiorentina, he moved permanently to Al-Shabab in 2025.
His greatest qualities are his vision, technical control and willingness to attempt creative passes. His interests in music, culture and community work also show another side of his character.
Adli’s career has included trophies, difficult periods and important changes. His next challenge is to use everything he learned in France and Italy to become a consistent and influential midfielder in Saudi football.
