Azzedine Ounahi, wey dey prepare to play for 2026 World Cup, don come a long way from when he first land for US Avranches with plenty doubt for him bag and blonde hair for head.
At 20 years old, the midfielder just finish two tough seasons with Strasbourg reserve for National 3. Him agent, Ismail Mouline, hustle well well to find him club where he go bounce back.
After leaving Morocco for two years, the Casablanca boy need to settle for new city and put him dream to play for top level on hold. When he reach, na shock for am — everything different.
But Ounahi no let that stop am. He start to show the skill wey later make Luis Enrique ask, “Madre mía, where this number 8 come from?” during Spain vs Morocco for 2022 World Cup.
Before Qatar, only few fans outside France know him name. But after the tournament, he become symbol of the historic run of the Atlas Lions to semi-final.
Ounahi style na to avoid contact where others look for am, to feint with dribble where others use power. That ability to be slippery become him signature.
He start for Raja Casablanca and Mohammed VI Academy, then leave Morocco at 18 to join Strasbourg. But the Alsace adventure no take off. He play for reserve before move to Avranches for French third division.
In 2020, he still dey National. One year later, Angers give am chance for Ligue 1. He grab am quick quick — him technical ease, ball control, and ability to resist pressing catch eye.
Then 2022 World Cup come. For Morocco squad wey get stars like Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech, and Sofyan Amrabat, Ounahi emerge from nowhere. Match after match, he become one of the engines for the historic run.
After World Cup, him career get some wahala. Marseille sign am but he struggle to meet expectations. Injuries, club instability, and coach changes slow am down. Him loan to Panathinaikos for Greece help am find rhythm before him move to Girona for Spain.
Now, him name dey link with Manchester City, showing say him talent still dey hot for big clubs. Even when club situation tough, him place for national team remain solid.
Because more than just a midfielder, Ounahi be one of the symbols of this Morocco generation wey take new dimension for Qatar, carrying the Atlas Lions into new era.
