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Rabat – Italian football legend-turned-coach Gennaro Gattuso has heaped on Sofyan Amrabat, saying that the Moroccan midfielder’s playing style and relentless energy at the World Cup reminded him of his days as a player.
In an interview with Spanish newspaper AS on Sunday, Valencia head coach Gattuso commended Amrabat’s performances at the World Cup, stressing that the Moroccan midfielder’s commanding presence in the midfield “moved me a lot.”
“He looks like me when I was playing at the age of 27,” the former AC Milan legend said. Gattuso went on to suggest that life can be hard as a coach, stressing that life “was much better” when he was playing.
“As a coach, you are not so lucky. I have to thank my wife, I don’t know how she manages to still be with me, but somehow I have to change because you can’t spend 18 or 19 hours thinking about football,” he said.
Sofyan Amrabat’s performances at the World Cup were crucial to Morocco’s odds-defying and historic run at the global tournament.
After beating early favorites like Belgium, Spain, and Portugal, Morocco became the first Arab and African country to qualify for the semi-finals in World Cup history.
The Moroccan Atlas Lions earned the respect and admiration of many football fans and observers around the world, and many political figures and celebrities thanked and celebrated them for honorably representing Africa and the Arab world.
Since the end of the World Cup, converging reports have been linking many Moroccan players to potential transfers to an elite European club.
With his commanding displays having been one of the highlights of Morocco’s historic run in Qatar, Amrabat has emerged as one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe.
A recent report by the Moroccan sports news outlet Al Mountakhab quoted a source as stressing that French football giant Paris Saint-Germain has offered €25 million to sign Amrabat.
Liverpool is also reportedly interested in securing Amrabat’s services.
As offers continue to pour in for the Moroccan midfielder, his brother Nordin Amrabat has been reported as believing that PSG is the best next destination for Sofyan.
Sofyan would be “perfect for PSG… To see him alongside Verratti would be a dream. I think Al Khelaifi [president of PSG] should act immediately if he reads my words,” Nordin said in a recent interview.
