From playing in the French Third Division to playing in the World Cup with Morocco: the emotional story of Azzedine Ounahi

The Moroccan team is the surprise of the 2022 Qatar World Cup by reaching the semifinals for the first time in its history and leaving teams like Spain and Portugal on the road. Bono, Hakimi and Ziyech are the top stars of the African team, but the figure of Azzedine Ounahi also stands out.

The 22-year-old footballer has started in all five games for the squad led by Walid Regragui in this competition. The player is characterized for being a very mobile midfielder and becoming the rivals’ nightmare in midfield.

Azzedine Ounahi has a story of overcoming that has gone viral, since only 18 months ago he was a member of the Third Division of France. The athlete started at RC Strasbourg II in 2018 and in August 2020 he signed for US Avranches.

Due to his good performance, Angers incorporated him into their ranks in mid-2021 and made his debut with a goal in the 3-0 victory over Olympique de Lyon. With The Scoistesthe player has played 14 games so far this season.

Azzedine’s good performance both at the French club and at the World Cup has aroused the interest of Barcelona. According to information from the Mundo Deportivo newspaper, the Barça cast has the Moroccan number 8 in orbit, and thinks of him as a potential signing for the European winter market, that is, in January. “His name has positively surprised and it is already on the table. Moreover, they are following it with interest and the possibility of probing its incorporation has been raised ”reported the aforementioned media.

Ounahi, whose value is 3.5 million euros, according to the Transfermarkt portal, surprised Luis Enrique in the match between Spain and Morocco, for the round of 16 of the World Cup. The coach, after the commitment that ended with the victory of the Africans in a penalty shootout, praised him at a press conference.

“I was pleasantly surprised by number 8, I don’t remember what the name is, I’m sorry. Oh my gosh! Where did that boy come from? He plays very well. Achraf and Ziyech are obvious, En-Nesyri we know well, Amrabat we know too. But this boy has not stopped running. We have discussed it in the ‘staff’. Spectacular,” said the coach.