Insights from Moroccan Player on Team's World Cup Prospects
In an exclusive interview with AFP, 28-year-old player Maïe, who has been absent from the Moroccan national team since the preparatory camp for the 2022 World Cup, expressed optimism about the team's potential in the upcoming tournament. He noted that the Moroccan squad is brimming with young, talented players and expressed his hopes for the team's success, wishing them to progress as far as possible in the competition.
When asked about Morocco’s shift from being an underdog in previous World Cups to now entering the tournament with the stature of a fourth-placed team from the last edition, Maïe acknowledged the pressure this could place on both the players and the new coach. He stated, "I believe they have a good team with a lot of talent. What they achieved in the last World Cup was an exceptional feat. However, repeating that success will be challenging, especially given the high expectations surrounding them now. But in football, anything can happen. They could even go further this time, but the task will undoubtedly be much tougher. Their victory in the Africa Cup of Nations has also ensured that they are no longer underestimated. We'll see how things unfold, but I hope they reach their maximum potential."
Dual Nationality and Choosing to Represent Morocco
As a player with dual nationality, Maïe is part of a growing trend within the Moroccan national team, where players who previously opted to represent their countries of birth are now increasingly choosing Morocco. Reflecting on his decision, he shared, "Indeed, I could have played for Cameroon or Belgium as well. Personally, I represented Belgium at various youth levels. However, I received a call-up to the Moroccan national team at the age of 18, during Hervé Renard's tenure. I noticed that Morocco was making significant efforts both financially and athletically to place players in the best possible conditions. I saw the Mohammed VI Academy, which was well-thought-out and a real project, and that appealed to me, along with my close ties to my Moroccan mother. For me, it was a relatively easy choice at that time. My brother, Sami, felt the same way. We were both very happy and proud to wear the Moroccan jersey and to have made that choice. What the team has achieved, especially in the World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations, is now attracting many players, so yes, it's a very positive development."
Maïe's exceptional performances in Cyprus, where he won the top scorer title with 23 goals and secured the league championship, have caught the attention of Morocco's new coach, Mohammed Wahbi, who is reportedly considering calling him up for the preliminary squad.
When asked about the possibility of returning to the national team, Maïe noted, "I personally do not follow the media, so I haven't heard anything about that. However, I have not been contacted by the national team since before the last World Cup. I am trying to focus on my work on the pitch. These matters are not my concern, so I try not to think about them too much. If I receive a call, of course, I would consider it, but so far, there has been no communication whatsoever. This is not something that occupies my mind right now. I will play my last match in the Cypriot league on Friday and then take a break before preparing for the next season, where we will compete in the Champions League. My second experience in Cyprus has been successful on all levels. When I first arrived here in the 2020-2021 season, I was much younger and had just come from Standard Liège. I had not really established myself at the professional level. After that, I spent a season on loan at Beveren, played some matches, but did not prove my worth significantly. Now, I have gained a lot of experience in a top-competing team, as AEL Limassol was not at that level back then, even though we finished the season third and reached the cup semifinals. That has made all the difference between the two experiences."
As reported by france24.com.
