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Top 5 Promising Moroccan Players in FIFA World Cup 2022
Morocco, one of the teams competing in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, might have advanced to the quarter-finals before being defeated by Egypt.
This article will look at the most promising Moroccan players for the upcoming World Cup.
Achraf Hakimi – Right-back – PSG
The 23-year-old highly-rated defender is one of the big names that will on be Vahid Halilhodžić’s Morocco final squad for this year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Hakimi has been a consistent performer since his breakthrough in Real Madrid in August 2017. When he moved to the first team where he made 9 La Liga appearances, and two in the UEFA Champions League as Real Madrid won it for a 3rd consecutive time.
The fullback had a two-season loan spell at Borussia Dortmund and was immense with his performances.
After the Dortmund adventure, he moved to Inter Milan for around €43 million. He helped them to clinch the Serie A title for the first time since 2010.
The right-back joined Paris Saint Germain in July 2021 for a fee of around €60 million. In the season, he played 41 matches in all competitions, scoring 4 goals and providing 6 assists.
He played a key role in Morocco’s World Cup qualifications, making 7 appearances and scoring twice.
Hakimi was also instrumental during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
He featured in all games at the tournament and scored two fantastic free-kicks to help Atlas Lions reach the quarter-finals.
Ryan Mmaee – Forward – Ferencváros
The forward was one of the brightest spots in the Morocco side during the World Cup qualifications. He finished the campaign as the second-highest top scorer, behind Ayoub El Kaabi.
Mmaee scored 4 goals in 8 appearances to help the Atlas Lions achieve a 100% record. They won all of their group stage matches against Sudan, Guinea, and Guinea Bissau. He missed a penalty in the 1st leg of the play-off against DR Congo.
The 24-year-old was named in Vahid Halilhodžić’s squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. However, due to COVID-19 complications, he managed to play only two games at the tournament.
Mmaee had a terrifying season at his Hungarian club Ferencváros in the 2021-22 campaign. He played an integral part in the club’s double success. Ferencváros won the national championship and also the FA Cup.
He netted 18 goals in 35 matches in all competitions, including 4 in 8 in the UEFA Champions League qualifications.
Mmaee previously played for the Belgium youth teams U19 and U21.
Noussair Mazraoui – Right-back – Bayern Munchen
A product of the Ajax youth academy, Mazraoui made his senior debut during the 2017/18 season. He has been a regular on the right-hand side of defense ever since. He has made 135 competitive appearances for the Netherlands’ most successful club. Mazraoui registered 10 goals and nine assists whilst winning domestic doubles in 2018/19 and 2020/21.
He won the Eredivisie title for the 3rd time in the 2021-22 season, where he contributed 5 goals and 2 assists in 25 appearances for Ajax.
Mazraoui has crossed the carpet to sign for German giants Bayern Munchen for the next four years. He was also chased by FC Barcelona.
The 24-year-old fullback last featured for Morocco in November 2020. Since then, he took a break due to some misunderstandings with the head coach.
Recently, Mazraoui and Vahid Halilhodžić have sorted out their differences. As a result, the highly-rated defender will be prominently in the scheme of things for Morocco at the World Cup this year.
He has 12 caps for the Atlas Lions since making his debut under Hervé Renard on September 8, 2018, in an African Cup of Nations qualifier against Malawi.
Nayef Aguerd – Centre-back – Stade Rennes
Aguerd is one of the fast-growing talents in the French Ligue 1 and Europe. He has attracted massive attention with his impressive displays for Stade Rennes in the 2021-22 season.
English Premier League outfit West Ham is keen on landing the 26-year-old defender this summer ahead of next season. The deal is close to agreeing upon following his outstanding spell this season, having made 31 appearances and 5 goals involvements in the Ligue 1. He also played 9 games and scored four times in the Europa Conference League this term.
The central defender is tipped to be a key member of the Morocco team that will be named for the 2022 World Cup later this year.
Aguerd played every single minute for Morocco in the World Cup qualifications. Moreover, in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, he played up to the quarter-finals, losing in the extra time to Egypt.
He has 19 caps since his debut in August 2016 against Albania in an international friendly and has scored once in the process. His partnership with Romain Saïss in central defense will be crucial in Morocco’s success at the Mundial.
Youssef En-Nesyri – Centre Forward – Sevilla
One name a lot of people will be looking for when Vahid Halilhodžić releases his final squad in November for this year’s World Cup is En-Nesyri, who is expected to lead Morocco’s attack in Qatar.
The 24-year-old moved from Leganes to Sevilla in January 2020 for around €20 million. He went ahead to play a significant role in the club’s Europa League triumph, scoring twice in 6 matches.
He scored four times in 18 matches in the La Liga for the half term he had.
En-Nesyri had their first full campaign with Sevilla in the 2020-21 season and was an instant hit. He scored 18 goals in 38 games in the La Liga and also 6 goals in 8 matches in the UEFA Champions League.
Due to injuries, the striker dipped in the form in the 2021-22 but managed 5 goals and an assist in 25 games in the La Liga.
He was a late addition to the Morocco squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. In the last group game against Spain at the Kaliningrad Stadium, he gave the team a late lead in a 2–2 draw.
He made the squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where he scored once in the tournament.
En-Nesyri was also called up for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. In his first game back after a long-term injury, he came on in the 65th minute and missed a penalty in a 2-0 win over Comoros. He scored the equalizer in a 2-1 win over Malawi in the last 16.
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