Youssef Lekhedim’s family reflects the two cultures that have shaped the Deportivo Alavés defender. Born Youssef Enríquez Lekhedim in Madrid on October 7, 2005, the footballer known as “Yusi” has a Spanish father and a Moroccan mother.
Lekhedim represented Spain at several youth levels before choosing Morocco for his senior international career. He explained that the decision was a personal tribute to his mother and his Moroccan heritage.
Who is Youssef Lekhedim’s girlfriend?
As of now, Youssef Lekhedim has not publicly confirmed that he has a girlfriend. His interviews and social-media activity concentrate mainly on football, his family and his professional development.
No reputable Spanish or Moroccan publication has identified a romantic partner. Any names circulating through unofficial accounts should therefore be considered unverified.
Is Youssef Lekhedim married?
There is no reliable public information indicating that Youssef Lekhedim is married. He has not announced a wedding, and established sources do not describe anyone as his wife.
Does Youssef Lekhedim have children?
Youssef Lekhedim does not have any publicly known children. The Alavés defender has never announced the birth of a son or daughter.
Who is Youssef Lekhedim’s mother?
Youssef Lekhedim’s mother is Khadija Lekhedim Rafik. She was born in Safi, a coastal city in western Morocco, before settling in Spain.
Khadija has consistently supported her son’s football career. Her public social-media activity includes messages celebrating his achievements at Real Madrid, Deportivo Alavés and international level.
Lekhedim has spoken proudly about his connection to his mother’s country. Although he previously represented Spain from under-15 to under-18 level, he accepted an invitation from Morocco and described the choice as a personal tribute to her.
His mother’s influence helped him maintain a strong connection to Moroccan culture while growing up in the Madrid area. That connection eventually became decisive when he selected the country he wanted to represent internationally.
Who is Youssef Lekhedim’s father?
Youssef Lekhedim’s father is José Antonio Enríquez Abraham. He is Spanish and comes from Vicálvaro, a district in eastern Madrid.
José Antonio has publicly supported his son through social media, sharing messages about Youssef’s development and celebrating important career moments. The Enríquez part of Youssef’s complete name comes from his paternal family.
Through his father, Lekhedim is Spanish by birth and heritage. His father’s background, combined with his mother’s Moroccan origins, gave him eligibility to represent either Spain or Morocco.
Does Youssef Lekhedim have any siblings?
Biographical sources identify an older brother named Ismael Enríquez Lekhedim, reportedly born in 2001. Youssef is described as the younger of the two brothers.
Ismael has maintained a private life and has not attracted the same media attention as Youssef. There is no dependable information about his profession or whether he also pursued football at a competitive level.
No reliable source confirms that Youssef has a sister. Ismael is the only sibling consistently identified in publicly available family profiles.
Where did Youssef Lekhedim grow up?
Lekhedim was born in Madrid and grew up with his family in San Fernando de Henares, a municipality east of the Spanish capital.
He began organized football at approximately seven years old with the local San Fernando club. His early development continued with Rayo Vallecano, ED Moratalaz and Getafe before Real Madrid recruited him in 2017.
Remaining within the Madrid region allowed Lekhedim to develop at several academies while maintaining a close connection to his parents and brother. His family accompanied his progression from local football to one of the world’s leading academies.
How Youssef Lekhedim’s family influenced his international choice
Lekhedim’s dual family heritage placed him in a similar position to several Spanish-born Moroccan internationals. Spain selected him at under-15, under-17 and under-18 level, but those youth appearances did not prevent him from changing associations.
In 2023, he began representing Morocco at under-20 level. The following year, national-team coach Walid Regragui included him in Morocco’s senior squad for matches against Angola and Mauritania.
Lekhedim later explained that choosing Morocco honoured his mother. He also emphasized that he belongs to both cultures, acknowledging the importance of his Spanish father and Moroccan mother in forming his identity.
How Youssef Lekhedim’s parents supported his football career
Youssef’s parents supported his interest in football from early childhood. He moved through several Madrid academies before joining Real Madrid at approximately 11 years old.
At Real Madrid, he progressed from the Infantil categories to the Juvenil team and Castilla. He won three major youth trophies during the 2022–23 season and later trained regularly with the senior squad.
In July 2025, Lekhedim left Real Madrid and signed a four-year contract with Deportivo Alavés. The transfer gave him the opportunity to begin playing regularly at the highest level of Spanish football.
Frequently asked questions about Youssef Lekhedim’s family
Who is Youssef Lekhedim’s girlfriend?
Youssef Lekhedim has not publicly identified a girlfriend. His current relationship status remains private.
Is Youssef Lekhedim married?
No marriage involving Youssef Lekhedim has been publicly announced.
Does Youssef Lekhedim have children?
As of now, Youssef Lekhedim has no publicly known children.
Who is Youssef Lekhedim’s mother?
His mother is Khadija Lekhedim Rafik, a Moroccan woman born in Safi.
Who is Youssef Lekhedim’s father?
His father is José Antonio Enríquez Abraham, a Spaniard from the Vicálvaro district of Madrid.
Does Youssef Lekhedim have siblings?
Yes. Biographical sources identify an older brother named Ismael Enríquez Lekhedim.
Is Youssef Lekhedim Spanish or Moroccan?
Lekhedim is both Spanish and Moroccan. He was born and raised in Spain to a Spanish father and Moroccan mother, but he represents Morocco internationally.
Why did Youssef Lekhedim choose Morocco?
Lekhedim said that representing Morocco was a personal tribute to his mother. He also considers himself part of both Spanish and Moroccan cultures.
Wilson Gaspar is a football analyst covering the UEFA Champions League, focusing on match previews, tactical reviews, and the performance of Europe’s top clubs throughout the competition.
