Yannick Carrasco: Early Life, Clubs, Family, Net Worth, Career and Stats

Yannick Carrasco is a Belgian professional footballer who plays for the Saudi Pro League AI-Shabab and the Belgium national team. He is a versatile player who can be a left midfielder, left wing-back, or left winger. He has scored 10 goals in 69 appearances for Belgium and was part of their squad that came third in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

He started his career with Monaco in France, winning Ligue 2 in his first season and runner-up in Ligue 1 in the second. He then moved to Atlético Madrid in Spain, where he scored in the final of the UEFA Champions League in 2016 but lost to Real Madrid on penalties. He later joined Dalian Professional in China before returning to Atlético Madrid on loan and then permanently. He helped Atlético Madrid win La Liga in 2021, their first title since 2014. 

In September 2023, he signed for Al-Shabab in Saudi Arabia for a  reported fee of €15 million. He scored his first goal for this new club on October 5, 2023, in a 2-1 win over AI- Faisaly. He is married to former Miss Belgium Noémie Happart since 2017.

Personal Information

Early Life

Yannick Carrasco entered the world on September 4, 1993, hailing from Vivoorde, a quaint municipality nestled in the Flemish region of Belgium. His lineage is a fusion of diversity, as his paternal roots trace back to Portugal, while his maternal origins are rooted in Spain. During his formative years, his father, having a Portuguese heritage, departed the familial scene, leaving Carmen, his mother, to singlehandedly raise him and his elder sibling, Mylan. The annals of his family history also encompass two younger half-siblings, Hugo and Celia, products of his mother’s second marital union.

Also Read: Saudi Pro League Teams: Al-Shabab FC Details, Top Players, Squads, Historical Achievements and Future Goals

At age six, he began his football journey with Stade Everois, gradually honing his prodigious skills. Subsequently, Carrasco ventured to Diegam Sport and, later, Genk, where his swiftness and prodigious talent captured the spotlight. Not long before the prestigious Monaco came calling, securing his services in 2010, when he was a mere 16 years old. Transcending borders, he journeyed to France to pursue his nascent professional career, and in 2012, he made his inaugural appearance in the senior ranks of AS Monaco.

Club Career 

Monaco

Carrasco’s association with Monaco commenced in 2010 when he transitioned from the Belgian club Genk. His debut on the professional stage occurred on July 30, 2012, during the inaugural fixture of the Ligue 2 season against Tours. This significant moment witnessed Carrasco launching a remarkable free-kick, leading to a 4-0 victory at Stade Louis II. Just a month later, on April 13, 2013, Carrasco left an indelible mark on history by single-handedly steering Monaco to a 2-0 league triumph over Auxerre. In his debut season with the club, he displayed his brilliance in 27 matches, finding the net six times, thus propelling Monaco to the summit of Ligue. 

The first of his top-tier goals materialized on the 5th of October, 2013, against Saint-Étienne, an outcome of his sublime execution, courtesy of a precise James Rodríguez cross. This exemplary strike was pivotal in Monaco’s 2-1 conquest. Fifteen days later, Carrasco orchestrated another spectacle by scoring twice within the opening 10 minutes as Monaco battled Sochaux to a 2-2 draw, culminating in a campaign that saw Monaco securing second place behind Paris Saint-Germain.

The 25th of February, 2015 bore witness to yet another illustrious chapter in Carrasco’s career, as he recorded the final goal during Monaco’s triumphant 3-1 away sojourn at Arsenal in the 2014-15 UEFA Champions League, an exploit achieved after replacing Dimitar Berbatov in the 75th minute.

Atlético Madrid

The dawn of the 10th of July, 2015 saw Atlético Madrid unveiling Carrasco as their prized acquisition, sealing the deal with a five-year pact rumored to be worth €20 million. Carrasco’s debut goal for Atlético was celebrated on the 18th of October, his adept touch propelling his team to a 2-0 away conquest over Real Sociedad.

On the 28th of May, 2016, Carrasco etched his name into history during the 2016 UEFA Champions League Final at the San Siro. As a half-time replacement for Augusto Fernández, Carrasco orchestrated a magnificent 79th-minute equalizer against Real Madrid, although his team ultimately succumbed in a penalty shoot-out. This historic goal made him the first Belgian to etch his name on the scoresheet in a European Cup final.

Carrasco’s virtuosity reached its zenith on the 15th of October, 2016, as he orchestrated his inaugural professional hat-trick during a crushing 7-1 annihilation of Granada CF. 

Dalian Professional

On the 26th of February, 2018, Carrasco embarked on a new adventure, alongside his comrade Nicolás Gaitán, by relocating to the Chinese Super League’s fledgling entrant, Dalian Yifang (later rebranded as Dalian Professional). Remarkably, the club bore connections with Atlético Madrid through the Dalian Wanda Group, their partial owner. Carrasco’s debut appearance transpired on the 3rd of March, resulting in an astonishing 8-0 loss to Shanghai SIPG. His prowess revealed itself in his fourth outing for the club on the 31st of March when he netted his maiden goal in a 1-1 away standoff with Henan Jianye, terminating his club’s three-game inaugural season losing streak.

Return to Atlético Madrid

On January 31, 2020, Carrasco orchestrated a victorious comeback to Atlético Madrid, commencing as a temporary addition until the culmination of the season. On September 8, 2020, he formalized a lasting alliance with the club, pledging to a four-year contract. Then, on November 21, 2020, Carrasco ascended as the hero of the moment by notching the sole goal in a 1-0 triumph over Barcelona.

Al-Shabab

Fast forward to the 4th of September, 2023, Carrasco embarked on a new odyssey by sealing a three-year agreement with the Saudi Pro League’s esteemed club, Al-Shabab, in exchange for a reported sum of €15 million.

International Career 

Carrasco’s initiation into the senior international arena unfolded in March 2015. He became a substitute for Marouane Fellaini in the 69th minute during a pivotal 5–0 triumph against Cyprus in the UEFA Euro 2016 qualification campaign. His stellar performance earned him a manager place for Marc Wilmots’ final tournament roster. On June 26, during the round of 16 clash in Toulouse, Carrasco left an indelible mark on the global stage by notching his inaugural goal, securing a resounding 4-0 victory over Hungary after replacing Dries Mertens in the second half.

Carrasco assumed a pivotal role in the Belgian squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, handpicked by manager Roberto Martínez. He debuted in the opening group stage encounter against Panama, where he took on the mantle of an offensive left-wing back within a 3–4–3 formation.

Records 

His professional journey commenced with Monaco, where he splendidly notched 20 goals in 105 games, clinching the Ligue 2 title in his debut season and narrowly missing out on Ligue 1 glory in the following year.

In 2015, he moved significantly to La Liga, joining Atlético Madrid for a substantial €20 million fee. He left an indelible mark by scoring in the final, although his team ended as runners-up in the UEFA Champions League.

After a two-year sojourn with Dalian Professional in the Chinese Super League, Carrasco made a triumphant return to Atlético in early 2020, albeit temporarily. The turning point arrived in September 2020, when it was officially declared that Carrasco would permanently rejoin Atlético, penning a four-year contract.

His contributions at Atlético Madrid were pivotal as he secured the La Liga title during the 2020–21 season, registering 19 goals in 102 appearances for the club.

Carrasco’s international debut for Belgium transpired in April 2015. He represented his nation in the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and 2020 and was an integral part of the squad that achieved a commendable third-place finish in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. His impressive international career boasts 10 goals in 69 caps for his country.

In soccer, Carrasco has garnered comparisons with fellow players such as Jeremie Frimpong, Federico Dimarco, Patrick Ciurria, and others, rooted in their statistical performance and achievements over the past 365 days.

Awards Achievements 

Individual awards:

Monaco Player of the Year: 2013–14
La Liga Team of the Year: 2015–16
UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2020–21

Club achievements:

Ligue 2: 2012–13
Coupe de la Ligue: 2012–13
UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2015–16
UEFA Europa League: 2017–18
Supercopa de España: 2014, 2020

International achievements:

FIFA World Cup third place: 2018

Net Worth 

Yannick Carrasco presently boasts a substantial net worth of 15 million Euros. His weekly earnings stand at €145,385, translating to an annual salary of €7,560,000 for his contributions to Atletico Madrid. His ongoing contract with Atletico Madrid is set to run until June 30, 2024, with €15,120,000 yet to be received as part of the agreement.

Personal Life 

Yannick Carrasco, hailing from Vilvoorde, was born to a Portuguese father and a Spanish mother. His early years were marked by his father’s departure, leaving Carmen, his mother, to shoulder the responsibility of raising him and his brother, Mylan. He also has two younger half-siblings, Hugo and Celia, expanding his family circle. As he embarked on his professional journey, he bore the name “Ferreira Carrasco.” However, as time progressed, he relinquished the paternal part of his Spanish-rooted double surname. Carrasco’s maternal heritage traces its origins to the Andalusian region, with his maternal grandmother originating from Seville and his maternal grandfather from Córdoba.

Family 

Yannick Carrasco’s father is José Carrasco, a Portuguese immigrant who carved a living as a carpenter. Carmen Moreno, Yannick’s mother, is a Spanish immigrant who dedicated herself to the profession of a cleaner. Carmen raised Yannick and his younger brother, Mylan, with unwavering love and care. Yannick’s brother, Mylan Carrasco, is two years his junior. Mylan, like Yannick, is a football enthusiast and plays as a winger for the Belgian club RFC Seraing. Yannick also shares a special connection with his half-siblings, Hugo and Celia, who are the offspring of his father’s second marriage. 

Partner 

Yannick Carrasco’s spouse is Noémie Happart, a former Miss Belgium titleholder and a distinguished model. Their journey commenced in 2013, culminating in their joyous union in 2017. Their relationship is characterized by unwavering support for each other’s careers, and they frequently express their affection for one another on various social media platforms.

Community and Philanthropy Work 

In 2018, a benefaction of €10,000 was extended to the Belgian Red Cross, aiding those afflicted by the inundations that beset the nation.

The year following, he actively participated in a benevolent exhibition organized under the aegis of the Yannick Carrasco Foundation, dedicated to championing the cause of children confronted with impairments and societal adversities. This altruistic endeavor amassed €50,000, destined to support diverse initiatives.

Then, in the annals of 2020, he embraced the global movement known as “Common Goal,” solemnly pledging to allocate 1% of his earnings toward causes within the realm of football. His altruistic proclamation underscored his fervent aspiration to harness his influence as a football luminary for the betterment of society.