Moroccan-Dutch Footballer Oussama Idrissi Explains National Team Decision

To make this difficult choice, Oussama had a long conversation with his parents. "I discussed with my parents what is best for my career," he confided. "My two passports do not determine my identity at all and I am a footballer who simply had to make a choice."

Not wanting to attract criticism in the Netherlands, Idrissi tries to justify himself: "I don’t choose Morocco because I’m against the Netherlands. I was born and raised in this beautiful country with its norms and values. As a Muslim, we naturally follow the father’s culture, and my father is Moroccan."

It is therefore at the urging of his father that the player finally opted for the Atlas Lions. We remember that the player and his father had been invited to Morocco by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) to assess for themselves the benefits offered by the kingdom. These little intentions have no doubt helped tip the scales for Morocco.

Brilliant since the start of the season with AZ Alkmaar, Oussama Idrissi has already scored 13 goals and provided six assists. With other players, they will no doubt delight Moroccan fans in the next Lions matches. Next match, against Malawi.