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Join on Telegram Rabat – Over the past few years, Moroccan football has found its brightest spotlight not only at home.
Moroccan players continue to break new ground across European competitions. This season again, three Atlas Lions stand on the cusp of European glory, each one reaching the final of a major UEFA tournament.
Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, and Abde Ezzalzouli now carry the hopes of a footballing countries as they prepare for the decisive matches of the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. Their journeys, marked by resilience and renewed form, reflect the growing place Moroccan players now hold in top-tier European football.
Hakimi eyes redemption with Paris
For Hakimi, the road to the UEFA Champions League final feels personal. Paris Saint-Germain returns to the biggest stage in European football for the second time in its history, this time with a team shaped by the steady leadership of Luis Enrique and a more mature Hakimi.
This season, PSG clinched another Ligue 1 title, but the Moroccan defender set his sights higher. Enrique entrusted him with the vice-captain’s armband, and Hakimi responded by leading on the pitch with quiet determination. His decisive goal in the semifinal against Arsenal sent PSG into the final and marked one of the high points of his campaign. Across the tournament, he tallied three goals and five assists, numbers that speak to his impact in both defense and attack.
Hakimi’s consistency and precision have turned him into one of the most sought-after fullbacks in the world. As PSG prepares to face Inter Milan on May 31, the dream of finally lifting the Champions League trophy seems more tangible than ever, for the club, and for Hakimi.
Silver lining to United’s season
It has been a season of contrast for Manchester United. While the club’s domestic form has fallen far below expectations, their European campaign tells a more confident story. United sailed past Athletic Club Bilbao in both legs of the Europa League semifinal, booking their place in the final against Tottenham on May 21.
Amid the turbulence, Mazraoui emerged as one of the season’s few bright spots. United supporters, frustrated by the club’s performance, now see in Mazraoui a rare source of consistency and versatility. Whether covering the right flank or stepping into midfield, he brought a calm presence and tactical awareness that stood out in a disjointed team.
As United searches for redemption in Europe, Mazraoui heads into the final with momentum on his side. A trophy here could give a lifeline in what has otherwise been a forgettable campaign for the Red Devils.
Return to form just in time
Morocco’s Ezzalzouli has not had the easiest season. After a promising start at Real Betis, the former Barcelona winger slipped into a difficult stretch. Criticism from fans grew louder, and his place in the squad seemed uncertain.
But in football, moments define careers. And Ezzalzouli chose his moment well. In the dying seconds of the semifinal second leg against Fiorentina, he delivered a dramatic goal that sent Betis into the final of the Europa Conference League. That goal, scored in the 97th minute, turned him into an overnight hero. Minutes later, he nearly scored again, denied only by the post.
His recent revival shows in his movement, confidence, and sharp bursts down the left. Betis will need all of that and more as they prepare to meet Chelsea in the final on May 28 in Wrocław.
As Moroccan clubs struggle to keep pace, the country’s footballing heart beats strongest in the stadiums of Paris, Manchester, and Seville.
