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Rabat – Morocco forward Brahim Diaz said the Atlas Lions will enter their World Cup quarterfinal against France with full belief and a clear desire to win.
Speaking at Morocco’s pre-match press conference, Diaz said the team showed its strength of character in the previous round and wants to continue its run.
“We showed an exceptional mentality and proved what we are capable of achieving,” Diaz said.
He added that Morocco were able to change their approach during the match and respond strongly.
“In the second half, we changed the way we played, came back strongly into the match, and managed to win,” he said. “This is our character and this is our mentality.”
Morocco focused on France
Diaz said the Atlas Lions are fully focused on Thursday’s match against France.
“We want to keep moving forward,” he said. “Tomorrow, we have a very important match, and everyone wants to play it and contribute to achieving the goal.”
The Real Madrid player also spoke about facing Kylian Mbappe, his club teammate and one of France’s biggest stars.
“As for Kylian Mbappe, he is a great player with exceptional qualities,” Diaz said.
But he made it clear that friendship and respect will stop once the match begins.
“We will meet tomorrow on the pitch, and both sides will go into the match aiming to win,” he said. “For my part, I will give everything I have to help Morocco secure victory.”
Diaz speaks about Hakimi
Diaz also spoke warmly about Achraf Hakimi, describing him as a great player and an important figure in the Moroccan national team.
“I only have words of praise for Achraf Hakimi,” Diaz said. “I am very happy for him, because he proves his value and quality as a player every time.”
He said his celebration with Hakimi came from the emotion of Morocco’s victory.
“In that moment, I was extremely happy that we got the win, and that is what pushed me to celebrate with him,” he said.
Diaz added that he is proud to share the pitch with Hakimi and the rest of the Moroccan squad.
“I am proud to play alongside him and win with him,” he said.
The forward also spoke about the unity inside the national team, saying the players support each other and work seriously to follow the coach’s instructions.
“I am very happy to be part of this national team, because we all support each other and work very seriously to apply the coach’s instructions,” he said.
“That is why I feel proud and happy to be a teammate of a great player like Achraf Hakimi.”
Morocco will face France with a place in the World Cup semifinals at stake.
For Diaz, the message before the match is simple: Morocco respect France, but they are going into the game to win.
