Rabat – Following a year-long absence from the football world, Moroccan football player Hachim Mastour made his way back to the stadiums after officially signing with Renaissance Club Athletic Zemamra in Morocco’s second division, a move the player’s fans did not anticipate.
The attacking midfielder was once on track for a promising football career, but he had faded into obscurity after a difficult few years. After joining the Italian club Reggina in October 2019, Mastour’s contract was amicably terminated a mere two years later in 2021.
After a year-long absence following his failed experience at Reggina, many football fans now hope that Club Athletic Zemamra will be a suitable environment to resurrect Mastour’s stalling career.
Others, however, were disappointed with Mastour’s decision to join a second-division local club, citing the many offers he once received from top-tier international clubs.
“I’m there! I’m ready,” said the 24-year-old on Twitter on June 9, as he prepared for his return to the fields.
The Moroccan club officially announced the signing yesterday on Twitter with the caption: “Moroccan international Hachim Mastour, former player of Italian AC Milan and Reggina clubs and Spanish Malaga, signed in the lists of our club Renaissance Athletic Zemamra.”
“We wish you a path of success,” added the Moroccan football club.
‘Being Hachim Mastour is Not Easy’
Born in the Italian city of Reggio Emilia, the attacking midfielder has distinguished himself as a prominent and talented player since the beginning of his career. At one point, Mastour was on the radar of several elite European clubs, including Real Madrid, Juventus, and Barcelona.
AC Milan ultimately secured his talent in 2012, signing Mastour for €500,000 (MAD 5.3 million) when he was only 14. In 2015, he was loaned to Malaga club for two years, but his deal was terminated a year early.
Mastour was then loaned to Dutch club PEC Zwolle before officially joining the Greek club Pas Lamia. In 2019, Mastour returned to Italy, signing on with Reggina.
In an interview with the Italian media PSB earlier this year, Mastour shared the difficulties he has faced as a young football star.
“I assure you that being Hachim Mastour was not and is not easy,” said Mastour, as he explained that while he enjoyed living in the “spotlight,” it nevertheless placed considerable pressure on him and affected his career.
Mastour stressed that he would like to be treated like “a simple 23-year-old boy, who makes mistakes and is determined to improve every day.”
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