Most key figures left in the last eight play in Europe but Lionel Messi’s side have a mindset unique to South America
The quarter-finals are about to begin and the world is talking about Morocco. For the fourth time an African nation and for the first time an Arab nation is among the last eight. Geographically, this is true, but in terms of football culture Morocco is European. One of the stars, Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain, was born in Madrid and played in Real’s youth teams. The other, Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech, grew up in the Netherlands and made his name at Ajax.
Morocco, whose coast can be easily seen from Andalucía, has adapted its football to the Spanish rondo style. The players are light-footed, agile, flexible, technically good. The team defend with dedication, counter with courage. “We have to copy the game of the Europeans,” says Morocco’s coach, Walid Regragui, “and bring in our own values.” Morocco knocked out Spain in the last 16.
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