Moroccan Striker Munir El Haddadi Seeks National Team Return, Reflects on Career

Munir El Haddadi made his debut at Barcelona at the age of 18 and had scored a goal. This performance had led him to the Spanish national team. "When I was at Barça, we practiced a very different football from today’s. We have our weapons, which are to go on the field with everything we need, to be together, to work as a team. And I think it’s in this way that we can achieve something positive," he explains in an interview with EFE.

The 30-year-old player is now the youngest player to have scored for seven different teams in La Liga. Prowess or lack of stability? For Munir, the essential thing is to be accepted and to play football. "At Leganés, I feel very comfortable and better," he confided, adding that he has good memories of his time at Seville: "In Seville, I lived many beautiful things, I won a Europa League, the people there treated me with a lot of affection. The truth is, I was very good in Seville."

Munir El Haddadi also gave his impressions on Lamine Yamal, Barça and La Roja’s prodigy: "I think he likes to play football, he doesn’t listen to what’s around him. Let him continue as he does and wait..." Like the 17-year-old player, Munir had made his debut at 18, alongside stars like Leo Messi and Neymar. "In the end, we are in different eras. I was among the best and it was very difficult to get more playing time. He had the opportunity and he takes advantage of it," he nuanced.

The Leganés striker says he is eyeing the Italian championship. "We’ll see if I have the opportunity to go there. I like the football they offer and it’s a championship that I appreciate." At the international level, Munir wishes to return to the Moroccan national team. He has not been called up since 2022. "I know what I can bring to Morocco. But it’s up to the coach to decide whether he wants me to go or not. We know there are a lot of players and I’ll work to be able to go."