Moroccan-Born Spanish Footballer Makes Debut for Atlas Lionesses National Team

Maryame Atiq has been practicing football for nearly two decades. At that time, women’s football was not yet very widespread. She was the first girl to play for Veguellina, before joining the teams of Trobajo, Ponferradina, Parquesol, San Pío and Unión Viera. "I was trained in Veguellina, I had a lot of fun because I played with people from my class, it was the ideal football base stage I could have," recalls Maryame, who had to leave the club after reaching the cadet age.

Now 24 years old, she has answered the call of the Moroccan national team and has just made her debut in a friendly against Ireland. The Moroccan women’s national football team is qualified for the first time in its history for the final phase of a World Cup. It will be held in 2023 in New Zealand. "They called me out of the blue. I admit I was surprised... In the first friendly match, I came out in the 75th minute. It was very exciting," she says.

For this World Cup, Morocco shares the group of Germany, Costa Rica and South Korea. "I will work and give everything to be at this meeting with the best in the world... I am doubly excited, for myself and for my father, who loves football. My parents have never hindered me in anything, neither in my studies nor in my sport, and I was particularly happy to see how they celebrated my entry into the Moroccan national team, after so many sacrifices," said Maryame.