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Moroccan footballer Anwar El Ghazi said he «wouldn’t change what (he) did with Mainz», referring to his former club, which terminated his contract over pro-Palestinian social media posts.
El Ghazi took the case to court and later won, with German labor judges ruling the dismissal unlawful and ordering Mainz to pay compensation estimated at over €1.5 million. The decision was recently upheld on appeal, confirming the ruling in his favor.
Speaking Thursday in an interview with Qatari channel Alkass Sports, he also reflected on key moments in his career, admitting he may have left Ajax too early. He recalled joining Lille at the age of 21, moving abroad alone for the first time after always living with his parents, and acknowledged that he «wasn’t ready» for such a transition at the time.
Commenting on Morocco, El Ghazi expressed pride in the national team’s recent achievements, particularly their historic World Cup run. However, he took a critical stance on the controversial AFCON final, saying he would not have wanted to receive the trophy after losing on the pitch, as it «wouldn’t feel like a real win».
He also revisited his international career, acknowledging that he initially chose to represent the Netherlands before switching to Morocco, a decision he now considers to have come «too late». At the time, he noted, fewer players were opting for Morocco, unlike today, when the team’s success has made it a more attractive choice.
He added that advice from Cristiano Ronaldo influenced his thinking, as the Portuguese star had recommended choosing the Netherlands for greater exposure, though he stressed that the final decision was his own.
With hindsight, El Ghazi admitted he might have chosen differently, emphasizing the importance of staying connected to one’s roots. «For me, I will always be Moroccan no matter what», he said.
Looking ahead, he believes Morocco can go far in upcoming tournaments, despite higher expectations, and highlighted Achraf Hakimi as a key player capable of making the difference.
