[4] While playing in the southern leagues, Ben El-Mhanni made a name for himself on YouTube where videos of his skill and trickery earned him the chance to star in commercials for Sports on Screen.

[4] For the commercials, Ben El-Mhanni flew to Spain and acted as a body double and skill consultant for Brazil and Barcelona star Neymar, as well as multiple Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

[4] His display of skill in the lower English leagues saw him dubbed the "non-League Riyad Mahrez" because of his North African heritage and similar style-of-play.

[5] In 2015 and 2016, Ben El-Mhanni has had trials with several Premier League clubs, including Watford, Bournemouth, West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace and Chelsea.

Beardsley was placed on gardening leave and at the end of the season an independent appeal body found that he had used discriminatory language and conducted himself in a generally unfair manner towards El-Mhanni.

[21] After his stint at Reading, Ben El-Mhanni was set to sign for Scottish Championship side Arbroath in October 2022, but after being denied by FIFA, he remained clubless until January 2023.