Ignored by Belgium, Moncef Zekri chooses Morocco and dreams of the 2026 World Cup

"I feel Belgian and Moroccan, but I’ve had trials for Belgium and I’ve never been called back. Morocco has invested much more and believed in me. I’ve never had that feeling with Belgium. I wasn’t good enough in their eyes. Morocco has evolved a lot in recent years. It’s a luxury when you’re in the national team," said Moncef Zekri in an interview with La Dernière Heure. In April, his teammates and him led Morocco to the top of Africa. The Atlas Cubs won their first continental title by winning on penalties (0-0, 4-2) against Mali, double AFCON U17 champions.

The 17-year-old defender looks back on this historic feat. "I thought the U17 AFCON was going to be a competition like any other, but I quickly realized there was a special excitement with the Moroccan fans. I had a click to give everything to go far in the tournament. I had tears in my eyes when we drew because I wanted to make the country proud. We made history for Morocco by winning this tournament." The coach of the Moroccan U17 team, Nabil Baha, is impressed by the young player’s talent. "My coach in the national team says I’m a soldier when I play for him. He felt that I was hungry on the pitch. I wasn’t there to play, but to show that I had my place. I’ve always had this worker’s mentality," he said.

Today, Moncef wants to go far with Morocco. "I dream of going to the 2026 World Cup. I only give myself a 2 or 3% chance of making it, even though the left-back position is not the most stocked. I know the coach Regragui has already talked about me and is watching me. I will make my career under the Moroccan jersey." After his good performances at the U17 AFCON and with KV Malines, the young defender is of interest to several clubs, but he is not ready to leave his Belgian club. "I could have left Malines, but I extended until 2028. I felt it was the right thing to do. The club trusts me. Ajax and Bayer Leverkusen wanted me. I even visited Ajax’s training center, but they first imagined a passage through the youth teams. And I risked becoming just a number there. My breakthrough wouldn’t have been as fast as here. Take Mazraoui. He ended up playing at Ajax, Bayern and is now at Manchester United, but it took time."

He continues: "I’m gaining much more experience by being with the first team this season. Has it gone to my head to be mentioned in such clubs? Not really. I was immediately at peace with my decision. Even if AC Milan, my favorite club, had come to inquire, I wouldn’t have signed there. I have a goal: to reach the Champions League. But I have to make a name for myself here first. I don’t want people to just say I passed through Malines. I hope to leave my mark on the club. That people remember me."