Morocco capable of winning World Cup – Hakimi

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How is it like to keep advancing at this World Cup from the group stage and now to the last 16?

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We have never been in this kind of situation at the World Cup before because, in all the games that we played previously, we usually led. But the last ones were different. We trailed, but I am happy with the character we displayed as a team because that can make things happen and it shows we know how to react in situations like this. Of course, everyone is putting in the extra effort to see us win. We are feeling good, but we try to stay humble because that is what helps us work in the best way. Like what we did at the 2022 World Cup, we are focusing on every game as it comes and not thinking about how far we are going to go. The success will come, and the team is focused on that.

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After the 2022 World Cup achievement, how do you see the expectations from Moroccans this time?

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Of course, when people see you at the top, they don’t want to see you go down. But ultimately, there have been lots of efforts by the King and the FA President for Moroccan football, especially in terms of facilities. So, it has been easier to perform at our best and we want to say thank you to them. Football in Morocco will continue to be successful and, with the way people are talking now, it wasn’t like this before. So we have to keep going and keep our focus to make all Moroccans and Arabs proud because I feel they supported us so much in 2022. Not only Arabs, but Africans as a whole as well.

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How confident are you about the chances of progressing at this World Cup?

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Qualifying for the next round is what we have been working for, and we are trying to make sure we go as far as possible. The Netherlands was a difficult game because everyone knows the quality of the Dutch team. It was a difficult game for both of us, and we were ready for the game and the situations it presented.

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What is it that people don’t see about life at the World Cup?

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I think the pressure is what people don’t see because of the expectations from people. But that is really good pressure. We stay locked in and can’t even see our families. I think that is the most difficult thing. Sometimes, the weather is hot and the pitches are not in the best condition, but we try to give the best show to the people.

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Who is the unknown leader in the Morocco team?

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Munir (Mohamedi), the second goalkeeper. He has a lot of experience, having been with the national team for a long time. I think he is a leader even if he doesn’t play. When he talks, everyone listens. It’s important when someone speaks like that, and it’s best for the team to follow.

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Who keeps everybody calm?

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That’s Bono (Yassine Bounou) because he is a really calm person. Every time, he tries to see the positive things.

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Who among your teammates has surprised everyone?

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For me, it is not a surprise because I have worked with him for so many years. That’s (Ismael) Saibari because he is making the difference by scoring. I know his quality, and people will see how he moves. He is a big player and he gives us a lot of quality.

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Which team has surprised you at the World Cup?

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Cape Verde. I remember one Africa Cup of Nations where they really went far, and they have some really good quality. For us too, we see the evolution of African football, especially with what a country like Cape Verde has done at this World Cup. We are proud of that as well. This is a stage to show the world how capable you are and how the players can perform at the highest level.

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What’s the secret behind the Morocco team?

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I think we have ambition and we have fun. We try to spend time together and we feel like we are family.

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What would winning the World Cup mean to you?

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Absolutely no words. I think we are capable of doing that and we know that we have to stay focused in every game. It will be 100 per cent difficult, but we will try our best and maybe one day we will win the World Cup as the first team from Africa and for the first in Moroccan history. It is going to be something special.

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What dream keeps you motivated after your achievements?

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I stay motivated because I love this game and I will keep doing that until my body tells me to stop. I still have something inside me that I would like to win with Morocco, and I am really excited because I want to make my country proud. I have won something with my club and I want to experience that feeling with my country as well. When we got to the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup, it was something big, but I am sure that when we bring a trophy to Morocco, it will be amazing.

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How did you feel scoring your first World Cup goal?

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No words. I think everyone dreams of playing at the World Cup and, when you score, not so many people get to do that. That is a dream come true.

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If you could relive one match in your career, which one would it be?

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That would be my first professional game when I was at Real Madrid. That is something you work for, and playing at the Bernabéu was something important. Also, my first game for the national team against Mali. I scored my first goal in that game as well.

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