They are too just": the contemptuous statement of Rafael van der Vaart on players choosing Morocco

The decision of the 20-year-old midfielder Rayane Bounida to prioritize an international career with Morocco rather than Belgium has revived tensions. This choice was the subject of a heated debate on the Dutch television show Studio Voetbal regarding the motivations of dual nationals.

On Bladi.net: Between Morocco and Belgium, Rayane Bounida has made his choice

For analyst Imke Courtois, this orientation is above all dictated by emotion and identity attachment. "It is very often a matter of roots, a choice of the heart, and it is useless to try to convince them otherwise," she said to explain what she considers a regrettable loss.

Wim Kieft complemented this vision with a more pragmatic approach, noting that players also evaluate their prospects for success. He recalls that Morocco is on the rise, ranking 8th in the FIFA rankings and having recently won the Africa Cup of Nations.

In contrast, Rafael van der Vaart made scathing remarks, stating that players only choose Morocco when they are "too just" for the major European selections. He only admitted one exception to this observation, that of the former Ajax player Hakim Ziyech.

On Bladi.net: Football: FIFA officially validates Rayane Bounida’s choice for Morocco

These statements immediately provoked a "storm of criticism" in Morocco and within the Moroccan community in the Netherlands. This outcry denounces a perceived disdainful reading of the motivations of the athletes and the real quality of the Moroccan national team.