Rabat – Ajax academy talent Abdellah Ouazane has reportedly committed his international future to Morocco, ending the long-lasting speculation over whether he would represent the Atlas Lions or the Netherlands at the senior level.
According to Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad (AD), the 17-year-old midfielder has made a definitive choice in favor of Morocco after representing both nations at youth levels. The report notes that while Ouazane featured for the Netherlands’ youth teams, he no longer views the Dutch senior national team as his ultimate destination.
A heart-led decision
AD reports that the decision was far from straightforward. The newspaper says the Ajax youngster spent considerable time reflecting on his international future before ultimately deciding to follow his heart.
“It was a matter of weighing things up, a lot of thinking, before he ultimately followed his heart,” AD wrote. “It was not Morocco’s planned approach, but his personal feelings that proved decisive, according to those close to him, although that did not mean he lacked a good feeling about the Netherlands.”
Ouazane first represented Morocco at youth level in 2023 before continuing to feature for both Morocco and the Netherlands in different youth categories. His latest decision now appears to settle his international allegiance in favor of the Atlas Lions.
A part of a broader strategy
AD also highlighted comments from former Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) technical director Chris van Puyvelde, who described Ouazane’s recruitment as part of Morocco’s broader strategy of strengthening ties with talented players from the Moroccan diaspora.
“Our plan with Appie worked well,” Van Puyvelde told the Dutch newspaper, using Ouazane’s nickname.
The Belgian official, who served as the FRMF’s technical director between 2022 and 2025, said the federation deliberately expanded its efforts to identify and convince dual-national players to represent Morocco.
“It was part of the new policy to pay much more attention to the diaspora,” he said, adding that he maintained regular contact with both the player and his family throughout the process.
Building trust
Van Puyvelde revealed that many of those conversations were with Ouazane’s mother, emphasizing the importance of building trust with families rather than focusing solely on football.
“I had a lot of contact with his mother. Mothers have carried a child for nine months and have different concerns from fathers, who often want to talk about football. Mothers want to know whether their child will end up in the right place. She often called me with questions,” he told AD.
The newspaper also noted that Ouazane is now fully focused on establishing himself with both Morocco and Ajax’s first team, where he is expected to receive opportunities under head coach Michel.
A year ago, the midfielder appeared destined for a move to Real Madrid, but the transfer reportedly collapsed at the final stage, allowing Ajax to retain one of its brightest young prospects.
With Abdellah Ouazzane representing Morocco at the senior level, he would become another high-profile addition to the Atlas Lions, further strengthening a team already making a significant impact on the international stage.
