NorthEast United FC on Wednesday confirmed the departure of Moroccan midfielder Mohammed Ali Bemammer, marking the end of his two-season stint with the Indian Super League (ISL) side.

The 35-year-old played a pivotal role in the Highlanders’ revival under head coach Juan Pedro Benali, having joined the club ahead of the 2023-24 season. A natural defensive midfielder, Bemammer was the heartbeat of the team: connecting defence and attack with intelligence and composure.

He made an instant impact in Benali’s setup. He was instrumental as NorthEast United FC climbed to a seventh place in the league table, narrowly missing out on the playoffs by just one point —a remarkable turnaround from their bottom-place finish the previous season.

The Moroccan Midfield Engine departs the #Highlanders 🤝#ISL #LetsFootball #NorthEastUnitedFC #MohammedAliBemammer | @NEUtdFC pic.twitter.com/7hrpwozOgh

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) July 9, 2025

The 2024–25 season began on a historic note, with the Highlanders lifting their first-ever silverware, the Durand Cup, by defeating Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the final. Bemammer was once again at the heart of the team’s success.

He carried his influence into the league campaign, while adding a new dimension to his game. Alongside his usual midfield duties, he registered four goal contributions, a notable jump from the one he managed in his debut season. His all-round influence in midfield was instrumental in helping NorthEast United FC reach the playoffs for the first time since the 2020–21 season.

Across two ISL campaigns, Bemammer made 43 appearances for NorthEast United FC, with over 50 appearances across all competitions.