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Rabat – Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has expressed excitement at being nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or, acknowledging it as a significant milestone in his career.
“It gives me immense pleasure. I’ve been striving for a very long time to succeed at the highest level,” Bounou said in an interview with Foot Mercato. “For me, this nomination is a reward for all of that. It warms my heart,” he added.
The 32-year-old player’s nomination marks the first time that a Moroccan player has been considered for the esteemed award.
The Al Ahli goalkeeper modestly admitted that he never anticipated reaching such heights. “I never thought I could reach the very top someday. But gradually, I discovered more about myself. I eventually realized that I had a higher ceiling than I thought.”
In his interview with Foot Mercato, Bounou also talked about his aspirations for the Yashin Trophy, for which he was nominated in 2022 and 2023.
“I’ve been trying to maintain this level for more than two years, and I’m in this category. So, yes, this trophy is what I’ve always dreamed of,” the former Sevilla goalkeeper said.
Bounou did not limit the conversation to personal accolades. He expressed his determination to achieve great success with the Moroccan national team.
With the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) approaching, Bounou shared his ambitions for the tournament. “We want to improve on what we’ve achieved in the last two or three AFCONs,” he said.
“We want to do better, especially by progressing beyond the quarter-finals,” he added, noting that Morocco is a “great team that can do much better.”
However, the Atlas Lion acknowledged the challenges of facing top-level competition in Africa, reflecting on Morocco’s recent matches against the likes of Cote d’Ivoire and Liberia.
Yet, he emphasized the resilience and determination of the Moroccan squad to take on these challenges. “We’ll be ready for sure,” he concluded.
