Mohamed Aboutrika is not known for empty praise, which is why his glowing assessment of Yassine Bounou has resonated so strongly as the tournament reaches its decisive stage. The former Egypt and Al Ahly legend has identified the Moroccan goalkeeper as the benchmark for modern goalkeeping, describing him as the player setting the tone for excellence between the posts.

“Yassine Bounou is a school in himself,” Aboutrika said, portraying the Morocco shot-stopper as a living blueprint of the role. In his view, Bounou embodies everything elite goalkeeping demands — composure under pressure, authority in organisation, and the ability to deliver in moments that define tournaments.

Aboutrika pointed to Bounou’s stunning reflex stop, already being hailed as one of the saves of the competition, as evidence of a goalkeeper built for the biggest stages. But his admiration goes far beyond a single moment of brilliance.

According to Aboutrika, championships are often won from the back, with a goalkeeper capable of guiding a team through fear, fatigue and uncertainty.

Bounou, he argues, has repeatedly shown that quality, offering calm assurance to his defenders and belief to teammates further forward. In the fine margins of knockout football, that presence can be the difference between potential and silverware.

Perhaps most telling was Aboutrika’s conclusion. For all that Bounou has already delivered, the Egyptian great believes the Moroccan star has yet to reach his peak.

“The best,” he insists, “is still to come.”