Thursday 12 December 2024

Thursday 12 December 2024

Real Madrid Star Brahim Díaz Dreams of Writing History with Morocco’s National Team

 أكد نجم فريق ريال

Real Madrid’s Moroccan star Brahim Díaz said that “he dreams of writing history with the national team and bringing joy to Moroccan fans.”

” I’m very proud to wear Morocco’s national team jersey. I’m grateful to Morocco and the entire African continent for all the love and warm welcome I’ve received,” Brahim Díaz told MAP in an exclusive interview at the Valdebebas training center in Madrid.

The former AC Milan player voiced his pride to play for the Moroccan national team which is steadily soaring towards a very bright future.

The Atlas Lions’ No.10 also raved about joining the national team which has gone smoothly,” thanks to the love and warm welcome of everyone. I’ve always felt part of this big family.” 

He pledged to do his utmost to contribute to the Atlas Lions’ success and make the Moroccan public happy.

In addition, the former Manchester City player stated that Moroccan football never ceased to honor the national colors across generations. 

“The current team is no exception,” he affirmed, noting that the 2022 World Cup and 2024 Olympic Games’ achievements demonstrate, in all respects, all the work accomplished and serve as a source of pride for all Moroccans. 

Brahim Díaz also highlighted the Royal Moroccan Football Federation’s efforts which, thanks to the enlightened vision of HM King Mohammed VI, is fully committed to the rise of national football, the development of sports infrastructure and the support of national teams.

He also thanked the Moroccan public for all their love and unconditional support, especially in times of injury.

“The welcome I’ve received in Oujda will remain one of the most precious moments in my career,” concluded Real Madrid’s Moroccan star.

MAP: 04 November 2024

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Moroccan internationals, Yassine Bouno, Achraf Hakimi and Soufiane Rahimi have been shortlisted for the “The Best FIFA Men’s XI” award, the world soccer’s governing body announced on its official website on Friday.

Yassine Bouno was crowned Saudi Arabian champion with Al-Hilal, Achraf Hakimi won the French championship with Paris Saint-Germain, while Soufiane Rahimi won the Asian Champions League with Al-Aïn, where he was top scorer.

Hakimi and Rahimi also won bronze medals with the national team at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Other African players in contention for a place in the FIFA XI include Gabonese and Nigerian strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ademola Lookman, and South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

The Best FIFA Men’s and Women’s XI awards recognize the world’s best players in their respective positions, nominating players on the basis of their performances between August 21, 2023 and August 10, 2024.

Morocco’s football national team fell down one place to 14th in the world rankings published by FIFA on Thursday.

The Atlas Lions, who dropped one place from the last FIFA ranking, remain in first place in Africa with 1688.18 points, ahead of Senegal in 17th place with 1637.25 points.

The national team also remains in first place in the Arab world ahead of Egypt in second place (33rd worldwide) with 1513.48 points.

Argentina remains at the top of the FIFA rankings, followed by France and Spain.

Here is the FIFA Top10 as of November 28, 2024:

1. Argentina

2. France

3. Spain

4. England

5. Brazil

6. Portugal

7. Netherlands

8. Belgium

9. Italy

10. Germany

 Morocco’s U20 national football team delivered a commanding performance on Saturday, defeating Libya 4-0 in Ismailia, Egypt, in the North African Football Union (UNAF) tournament, to clinch a spot in the upcoming U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Goals from Mouad Dahak (21′), Naoufel El Hannach (45’+2), Ayman Arguigue (53′), and Saad El Haddad (71′) sealed the victory, solidifying Morocco’s dominance in the competition.

The team, coached by Mohamed Ouahbi, finished the tournament at the top of the standings with 10 points, recording three wins and one draw.

The next U20 AFCON, which will feature 12 teams, serves as a qualification pathway for the U20 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place next year in Chile.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially unveiled on Monday the shortlist of five finalists nominees in each of the men’s categories at CAF Awards 2024, including Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi, shortlisted for African Player of the Year.

In addition to Moroccan and French club Paris Saint-Germain’s right-back, other contenders for the prestigious African Player of the Year award include Ivorian Simon Adingra (Brighton and Hove Albion), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund), Ademola Lookman (Nigeria/Atalanta) and Ronwen Williams (South Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns).

In the “Young Player of the Year” category, Moroccan international Eliesse Ben Seghir, who plays for French club AS Monaco, is in the running alongside Karim Konaté (Côte d’Ivoire/Salzburg), Oumar Diakité (Côte d’Ivoire/Reims), Yankuba Minteh (Gambia/Brighton and Hove Albion) and Lamine Camara (Senegal/AS Monaco).

As for the Club of the Year category, the list of five finalists includes Berkane Renaissance alongside South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, Egypt’s Al Ahly and Zamalek as well as Espérance Sportive de Tunis.

The prestigious CAF Awards 2024 ceremony will take place in Marrakech on December 16.

The Moroccan national football team dominated their Gabonese counterparts by 5 goals to 1 on Friday at the Franceville stadium, for the fifth Group B fixture of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN-2025) qualifiers.

Gabon’s striker, Dénis Bouanga, fired first in the 5th minute before the Atlas Lions retaliated with a downpour of goals scored by Jamal Harkass (17′), Brahim Diaz (21′, 23′), Youssef En-Nesyri (81′) and Ismael Saibari (90′).

In the same group, Lesotho beat the Central African Republic on Thursday (1-0).

Following today’s fixtures, Morocco consolidated their position at the top of Group B with 15 points from five wins, ahead of Gabon, who qualified for the CAN (7 points). Lesotho are third with 4 points, while the Central African Republic are dead last with 3 points.

Morocco’s national soccer team thrashed Lesotho 7-0 (5-0 in 1st half-time ) on Monday evening at the Stade d’Honneur in Oujda, as part of the 6th and final matchday of Group B qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations (Morocco-2025).

The Atlas Lions won thanks to a hat-trick from Brahim Diaz (5′, 15′, 42′), two goals by Sofiane Rahimi (37′, 45’+2 penalty) as well as Youssef En-Nesyri (68′) and Ismael Saibari (70′).

With this win, the national team finishes top of its group with 18 points from 6 wins, ahead of Gabon (10 pts), who already qualified for the next AFCON and defeated this evening the Central African Republic (1-0).