Tottenham’s Rosella Ayane Embraces Moroccan Roots Over Scottish Birth in National Team Choice

"My mother and my aunts always ask me why you didn’t choose Scotland. But for me, it was obvious. I have such a close connection with Morocco. I felt at ease. When I made my decision, I didn’t really have to think about it, which, for me, already indicates my answer. And it’s probably the best choice I’ve made. Without wanting to offend the Scots, I love them too," said Rosella Ayane in an interview with Sky Sports. The 27-year-old striker was born on March 16, 1996 in Reading to a Moroccan father and a Scottish mother. Her choice to play for Morocco was also motivated by her desire to have an international career. "I wanted to play on the international stage. I told myself that I didn’t have much time left in my football career," she confided.

She says she has always had close ties with her father’s family. "As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been in Morocco. Everyone who knows me knows how special Morocco is to me. And when I think of putting on a Moroccan jersey, I think of all the times I was on the street with all the Moroccan girls and boys until around 10 p.m. I was five, six or seven years old and I was living my life on the street, not caring about what was happening elsewhere," says the one who made her debut with the Atlas Lionesses in June 2021. She also remembers the walks in the streets of Morocco: "I ran in the street with the neighbor’s children until my grandmother called me to tell me that dinner was ready, I played football on the beach with my father and these are memories that are dear to me and that I will never forget. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to play for Morocco."

Over the years, Ayane realizes she made a good choice. "It’s very special to wear the jersey of this country. We learn a lot by being with the other girls who live in Morocco. We learn about heritage, religion. There are so many aspects of Morocco that I thought I knew before playing for Morocco, but I’m learning more and more every time I participate in a training camp. It’s extraordinary for me and I’m very happy to have done this because the impact we have on women in Morocco is incredible," said the one who scored the goal of Morocco’s first qualification for the Women’s World Cup.

With her teammates, Rosella has made a good impression at the Women’s World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20, 2023. Together, the Atlas Lionesses made an impression. Ranked in Group H, the Atlas Lionesses reached the round of 16 after losing to Germany (6-0), the two-time title winner, winning a historic victory over South Korea (1-0) and beating Colombia (1-0). They ended the competition at that stage after losing to France. A journey that the player is proud of. "Even for Africa as a continent, it’s amazing to represent this part of the world. I’m very proud to carry the flag of Morocco, of Africa as a continent and of other countries that don’t always get the recognition they deserve. [...] There is an element of the unknown in participating in the CAN, in playing against other African teams, that I wouldn’t know anywhere else."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnBPsSJF5W4