Rabat — Azzedine Ounahi is finally finding his feet at Panathinaikos after a tough start in Greece following his loan from Olympique de Marseille (OM).
The 24-year-old became a household name at the 2022 World Cup, helping Morocco make a historic run to the semifinals only to fall in the pecking order at OM after his $10-million move from Angers.
At OM, Ounahi struggled to get minutes on the pitch and his confidence took a hit before Panathinaikos came calling last summer for a loan deal.
“I’ve had difficult moments and a really hard transfer window,” said Ounahi to French sports outlet Foot Mercato.
“What happened will help me in life. This situation made me grow. And I don’t want to make the same mistakes as before. I want to give my 100% to live up to the club and return to my best level,” the player admitted.
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At first, it wasn’t easy in Greece. Before new manager Rui Vitória arrived in November, Ounahi had started just three out of eight games. He often found himself on the bench struggling to make an impact.
But since Vitória’s arrival, things have turned around for the box-to-box midfielder, and he has been featured more, starting most games.
His form has picked up and was named man of the match against Atromitos on December 4, scoring the winning goal. Then, just two weeks later, he played a key role in Panathinaikos’ win over FK Dinamo Minsk in the Conference League, providing a brilliant assist.
“I’m a player who plays on feeling. I need to feel loved and involved,” said Ounahi to Foot Mercato.
Under Vitória, he has found that support, and now his confidence is back. Playing as a central midfielder, he’s looking more like the player who shone for Morocco at the World Cup.
Ounahi’s contract with OM expires in 2027, but the loan deal to the Greek team includes an option to buy, and Panathinaikos is seriously considering making it permanent.
If Panathinaikos does take up the option, Ounahi could settle in Greece for the long term.
For the national team, Azzeddine Ounahi has always been a standout performer and featured regularly in the starting eleven during the last qualifiers.
Ounahi can operate both as a box-to-box player in a midfield of three or as a creative playmaker behind the striker.
Before joining Angers in 2021, Ounahi moved up the ranks of the prestigious Mohamed VI Football Academy. His time at Angers saw him shine and was called up to the national team for the first time by Vahid Halilhodžić for the 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifiers.
Azzeddine Ounahi became an international sensation during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he played a key role in Morocco’s historic run to the semifinals, with his ability to break up the play and create big scoring chances for attackers.
