Marcelo: ‘Morocco Didn’t Create a Miracle at the World Cup, They’ve Been Winning for Years’

Marcelo, the legendary Brazilian left-back and former Real Madrid captain, gave a very positive interview to Asharq Sports about the Moroccan national team. For him, the historic run to the 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinals should not be seen as a miracle but as the result of years of strong performances at the club and international levels.

Marcelo explained that Morocco’s success was already visible long before the tournament in Qatar.

“I don’t think Morocco achieved a miracle at the last World Cup. I believe they have been good for a long time, but since World Cups happen every four years, many people don’t pay enough attention to national teams,” he said.

He continued by stressing that the team’s progress was built over time rather than happening suddenly on the world stage.

“The Moroccan national team has had great success for many years, and there are many outstanding players who perform very well with their clubs, which is why I don’t consider it a miracle.”

مارسليو :

لا أعتقد أن المغرب صنع معجزة في المونديال الماضي.. 🇲🇦

اعتقد انهم كانوا جيدين لفترة طويلة.
pic.twitter.com/qK6iqWUoGi

— الموجز الرياضي (@SportStuff24) May 3, 2026

Marcelo also pointed out the professionalism and consistency within the squad, citing the work done at the club level as a key reason for their international strength.

“The players of the Moroccan national team train well and perform at a high level with their clubs, and they are capable of achieving very good results at the World Cup.”

Morocco’s 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign is and will remain one of the most remarkable in modern World Cup history, as it became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the tournament, defeating many top teams along the way.

Marcelo has just confirmed the growing view in football that Morocco’s breakthrough was not an isolated surprise but the product of steady development, discipline, and a generation of players competing regularly at the highest level in Europe. It’s a huge compliment coming from a player who has won five Champions League titles and knows exactly what it takes to get and stay at the top.