Nordin Amrabat plays right winger for Morocco’s Atlas Lions and has earned appreciation from fans over his nearly eight years on the team.
Rabat – Known for being a well-liked and respected member of the team, Nordin Amrabat is sometimes called “El Mahgreb,” referencing his attachment to Morocco and capturing his popularity among Atlas Lion fans.
Amrabat has impressed fans with his determination to play, despite injuries that might take other players off the field. They praised his performance in Morocco’s match against Portugal, where he took to the pitch despite having suffered a concussion in an earlier match against Iran, during the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
While the decision to allow him to play drew criticism from FIFA, it earned him the title of “warrior” from fans.
The 32-year-old right-winger has been playing football since he was young, occasionally taking on positions as left-winger or center-forward.
Amrabat was born in the Netherlands to Moroccan parents and started out playing in amateur leagues within Europe. It was Amrabat’s father who encouraged him to keep up with the sport, though Amrabat himself assumed he would stay in the amateur league and pursue a career outside of football.
He eventually joined PSV Eindhoven, who were champions of the Dutch football league at the time, and has since played for numerous clubs such as Tukey’s Kayserispor and England’s Watford. In 2018 he signed a three-year contract with Saudi Arabia’s club team, Al-Nasr Riyadh.
Amrabat made his debut with the Atlas Lions in Marrakech’s LG CUP in 2011. He scored his first goal for the team in their last match and was elected “man of the match.” He later went on to play in the Africa National Cup (CAN) in 2012 and 2013.
Despite concern that a knee injury earlier this spring would prevent his participation, Amrabat has been on the field throughout CAN 2019. The Atlas Lions’ next match is Friday, June 28, when they take on the Ivory Coast Elephants.
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