Morocco’s World Cup Heroes: Royal Honors and Maternal Pride

Achraf Hakimi has not forgotten the welcome by King Mohammed VI of the players accompanied by their mothers at the Royal Palace in Rabat, after their historic run at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar - as semi-finalists. "The meeting with King Mohammed VI was exceptional," he admits in an interview with the French channel Canal+. "Being able to visit his palace was a great honor for us, and the best part is that he also gave our mothers the opportunity to be part of this visit. This moment will be forever etched in our memory, especially for our mothers who were proud of what was accomplished."

In addition to their qualities as good players, the massive support - especially from their mothers and their visibility - that the Atlas Lions enjoyed in Qatar is an ingredient of their historic success at the World Cup. "It was wonderful to take our mothers with us at this particular moment. At the World Cup, the mothers were with us during the tournament, and their presence represented an immense moral support for us. I remember well when we beat Spain and Portugal, some mothers went down on the field to celebrate with us. It was a scene filled with pride and joy," says the Moroccan right-back.

The gala dinner at the Royal Palace will remain an unforgettable memory for the 26-year-old player. "The king is a symbol of pride for us, and he is the most important person for us and for the Moroccan people. Living such a moment with the king up close has been something very special. Whenever I talk to my mother about this moment, I feel that it is a unique experience that deserves to be remembered for the rest of our lives," he adds.