Moroccan FA: Achraf Hakimi Was Close to Playing for Spain | Fouzi Lekjaa’s Strategy Secured Europe-Based Stars
Ismail Zaitouni, member of the Moroccan Football Federation, revealed that Achraf Hakimi was close to representing Spain before choosing Morocco, highlighting how Fouzi Lekjaa convinced dual-nationality talents to join the national team.
⚽ Morocco Reflect on World Cup Success After Beating Netherlands
Ismail Zaitouni, a member of the Moroccan Football Federation, has spoken about Morocco’s recent qualification to the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup after a major victory over the Netherlands ⚽🔥.
He stated that the team once again made Arab fans proud, emphasizing that Morocco has been achieving consistent success in international football in recent years.
🔥 Praise for Regragui Despite Uncertain Future
Zaitouni praised the work of national team coach Walid Regragui, noting that his efforts have played a major role in Morocco’s recent progress.
However, he also admitted that in football, coaching continuity is never guaranteed, stressing that consistent results remain the strongest proof of success.
⚽ Strong Squad Built on European Experience
He highlighted that Morocco now benefits from a squad full of players competing in top European leagues, which has helped strengthen the team’s identity and performance on the international stage.
Zaitouni specifically mentioned Ayyoub Bouaddi, who impressed in his first appearance, as well as key players like Yassine Bounou, stating that the overall squad structure is built for success.
🌍 Fouzi Lekjaa’s Role in Convincing Dual-Nationality Stars
One of the most striking revelations from Zaitouni was the strategy led by Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Moroccan Football Federation, to secure players with dual nationality.
He explained that Lekjaa’s long-term project focused on convincing players born or raised in Europe to represent Morocco instead of other national teams 🌍🔥.
This strategy successfully brought in several high-profile players such as Hakim Ziyech and Ibrahim Diaz.
🇪🇸 Hakimi Was Close to Choosing Spain
Zaitouni revealed a major detail about star defender Achraf Hakimi, stating that the Paris Saint-Germain full-back was very close to representing Spain earlier in his career.
However, Morocco managed to convince him to commit to the national team, a decision that proved crucial for the Atlas Lions’ rise in world football ⚽🔥.
🏁 Conclusion
The Moroccan official’s statements highlight the federation’s long-term vision in building a competitive national team through strategic talent recruitment.
With players like Hakimi, Ziyech, Diaz, and Bounou, Morocco has become one of the strongest African and Arab football nations, capable of competing at the highest level on the world stage 🌍🏆.
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