Tunisia national team legend Youssef Msakni returns to Esperance

Tunisian giants Esperance de Tunis have received a big boost to their squad with Tunisian media reporting on Monday evening that forward Youssef Msakni will return to the Blood and Gold.

Rumors continued to grow regarding a return to the club where Msakni established himself as one of the all-time greats in Tunisian football. The 35-year-old will return to EST after over twelve years in Qatar with top clubs Al Duhail and Al Arabi, along with a brief spell on loan at Belgian club Eupen during the 2018-19 season.

An urgent situation for Tunisian champions Esperance

It was a transfer of great urgency for the champions, who lost star attacker Youcef Belaili to a long-term injury during a 0-0 draw against Tunis rivals Club Africain on November 9. The Algerian was forced off in the first half for an injury that was later diagnosed as a cruciate ligament tear in his knee, leaving him out for at least six months.

There will be questions about Msakni’s fitness as well and whether he is ready to fill the large void left due to Belaili’s injury. The veteran forward has not played a competitive match since May 7 for his last club, Al Arabi. Between his spells with Al Arabi and Al Duhail, Msakni accumulated a remarkable 153 goals in 284 apperances across all competitions for both clubs during his time in Qatar.

Youssef Msakni: A club legend at Esperance

The experenced forward is a club legend at Esperance, where he scored 49 goals in 162 appearances after making his first steps with Club Africain. He won four consecutive league titles with EST between 2008 and 2012, also leading the club to a CAF Champions League title in 2011.

Msakni is also third on the all-time scorer list of the Tunisia national team with 23 goals in 104 appearances since debuting for the Eagles of Carthage in 2010. He was a member of the national team at ten Africa Cup of Nations tournaments as well as the 2022 FIFA World Cup, leading the North African nation to fourth place at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. His last appearance for the Eagles of Carthage came over a year ago in 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.

EST, who currently lead the league by three points ahead of Club Africain, conquered all domestic competitions last season with a league and cup double but could only reach the CAF Champions League quarterfinal before bowing out to South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns. They begin play in the group stage of the 2025-26 CAF Champions League on Saturday against Mali’s Stade Malien in Group D.

Boasting an attack that also features Brazilian playmaker Yan Sasse, French striker Florian Danho and Algerian Kouceila Boualia, Esperance are hoping that Msakni can quickly integrate with the squad and help EST maintain their high level across domestic and continental competitions.