Born in Salé, Laâlou started his international track career competing at the younger levels, running over 800 m at the inaugural World Youth Championships in 1999 and reaching the semi-finals at the 2000 World Junior Championships. He won the silver medal at the 2001 African Junior Championships and made the 800 m semi-finals of the senior event at the 2002 African Championships. He made his senior debut on the global stage at the 2003 World Championships in Athletics, although he did not progress beyond the heats stage.