Rabat – Moroccan international footballer Amine Harit addressed a heartwarming message to fans, the Moroccan national team, and his French club Olympique Marseille following a serious knee injury that prevented him from participating in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with Morocco.
The Atlas Lion said he waited before sharing the message as he needed some time for himself with his loved ones.
Besides the physical pain he suffered from his injury, Harit acknowledged that he felt hurt that he could not participate in the World Cup.
“As you can imagine, beyond the physical pain, it’s hard to see the World Cup dream fly away a few hours before living it,” Harit said.
Harit incurred his injury during a match with Olympique Marseille against AS Monaco just a week before the World Cup, which will kick off in Qatar on Sunday, November 20.
The Moroccan footballer recalled his remarks during a pre-match press conference, where he emphasized that he believes in “destiny and I accept that.”
Harit also defended AS Monaco’s Axel Disasi, who has been receiving insults following the Atlas Lion’s injury.
Disasi took to social networks openly regretting being the cause of Harit’s injury. The AS Monaco player said that he was trying to get the ball when he came in contact with Harit and denounced the racist comments and messages he received online.
“The insults towards my family, the racism, the disclosure of my telephone number … are unacceptable and incomprehensible things in 2022,” Disasi said.
Defending Disasi, Harit said that it was an “ordinary game, where we both play the ball there is nothing intentional. What he suffered online is unacceptable and I’m sorry. Let’s be better humans.”
The international football player thanked the medical team for their great efforts, calling the injury the “biggest” one he has ever had.
“The journey will surely be long and painful, but you know me well: I never give up and I’m already thinking about coming back even stronger,” he said.
In addition, he thanked all the players in Olympique Marseille for their support and good care as well as all other fans who showed compassion.
The football player concluded his message, by extending his best wishes and luck to his teammates in Morocco’s national team.
Morocco will play three much-anticipated matches against giant football teams, including Belgium, Croatia, and Canada.
Morocco’s football game against Croatia will take place on November 23, while its second match will be against Belgium on November 27. The last match in Group F will be against Canada on December 1.
