Hakimi: My dream is to lift the World Cup, and "President Lekjaa" is making great efforts.
Achraf Hakimi, captain of the Moroccan national football team, confirmed that the "Lions" have become more mature in dealing with various match scenarios, noting that coming back from a deficit in the last group stage match was an important test of the team's character; this is ahead of the anticipated match against the Dutch national team in the Round of 32 of the World Cup.
Hakimi said, during his appearance on the "abtalks" podcast, that the team had never found itself trailing in the tournament, considering that the players' reaction after conceding the goal showed strong character, adding: "We had not started any match in the World Cup while trailing; but what pleased me was the character and spirit the team showed afterward, because we now know how to handle such situations."
Regarding whether the achievements of the 2022 World Cup have increased the pressure and expectations, Hakimi acknowledged that the ceiling of fans' aspirations has become higher, explaining that everyone wants to see the Moroccan national team maintain its place among the top teams, adding: "When people see you at the top, they don't want you to fall back... We try to remain humble and focus only on the next match."
On the reasons behind the surge in Moroccan football, the captain of the "Lions" praised the efforts made within the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, confirming that providing the necessary resources and suitable conditions for players has significantly contributed to the results achieved by the team, stating: "President Fouzi Lekjaa has made a great effort to provide all the conditions for Moroccan football, which has made our task easier to give our best."
Regarding the upcoming match against the Netherlands, Hakimi clarified that the Moroccan team is well aware of the value of its opponent and the quality of its players; however, it trusts its own capabilities, saying: "It will be a tough match for both teams, and it will be decided by small details, so we need to be fully focused."