Moroccan World Cup Star Cheddira Eyes Serie A Promotion with Bari

The World Cup in Qatar was a unique and "extraordinary" experience for the 25-year-old player. "I would never have believed it (laughs, ed.)... But, as I always say, thanks to hard work and determination, I know I reach goals I wouldn’t even have imagined at the beginning. I always give thanks to God, to the people close to me and I always continue to work hard," said Walid Cheddira in an interview with Marca.

And he adds: "It was a wonderful emotion. Because playing for your country, Morocco, in a World Cup, is really something extraordinary. And then to see the result we brought to Morocco... it was even more incredible, so I’m really very happy. It was a unique emotion."

Cheddira made his World Cup debut against Spain, in the round of 16. "Suddenly appearing in a match like that was really something unique. I remember every little detail of that match... Spain and Morocco have a great history. They are separated by the Strait of Gibraltar, so they are very close and we can say it was almost a derby," details the player.

The Moroccan international is preparing with his team, Serie B club SSC Bari, for a promotion to Serie A. "We are