Rabat – In a heartwarming message to Moroccan people, American-Born sports journalist Nico Cantor highlighted the big impact that Morocco’s journey in the Qatar World Cup had on his life, saying that it gave him the opportunity to discover the country’s values and unmatched passion for football.
“In Qatar, destiny decided that an American-born journalist with the Latino passion of his upbringing would meet face to face with the Moroccan national team. Had it not been for this football miracle, my life wouldn’t be the same,” Cantor said on Twitter.
Describing football as “the world’s game,” the football commentator said that his passion for the sport brought him to a country that he knew very little about before he sang “Allah, Allah, Allah, Allah, Allah” on national radio in support of Morocco’s Atlas Lions.
Soon after, Cantor found himself submerged and neck-deep in Moroccan culture, as the Club World Cup was an opportunity for him to visit the country he fell in love with. “Tell me if there is another way to explain why I’m craving to spread sweet amlou on my baghrir or why now I know how to prepare tea the right way, pouring from the precise height,” he said.
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In a butterfly-effect fashion, the “accurately weighted cross” Moroccan player Attiah Allah sent into the “vicinity of En-Nesyr’s soaring head” gave the American journalist the opportunity to discover a country “so rich in history, so warm in its welcoming, of a foreigner, and so kind in its human values.”
Thanks to En-Nesyri’s iconic header against Portugal, the Moroccan national team made history in Qatar by being the first Arab and African team to reach the World Cup’s semifinals.
The American journalist dedicated an important part of his letter, which was written in both English and Moroccan Darija, to thanking the Moroccan people for their “overwhelming” support during his journey in Morocco. He highlighted the common points between his culture and that of Morocco, including “warmth, empathy, and generosity.”
Even though his journey in Morocco was short-lived, Cantor said: “The relationships I made will find permanent strength in our bond.” The American is looking forward to his next visit to Morocco, during which he plans to visit several Moroccan cities, including Fez, Marrakech, and Chefchaouen.
