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«Madre mía». Just moments after Spain's elimination by Morocco in the 2022 World Cup, Luis Enrique paused his analysis to single out a standout player. «Where did this number 8 come from?» the Spain coach exclaimed, amazed by Azzedine Ounahi's extraordinary performance. This now-famous reaction perfectly encapsulated the Moroccan midfielder's emergence on the global stage. Prior to Qatar, few fans outside France recognized his name. Weeks later, he had become a symbol of the Atlas Lions' historic journey.
Facing imposing opponents, Ounahi glided forward with an unusual lightness. Others seek contact, but he sidesteps it. While some rely on power to accelerate, he outmaneuvers adversaries with his dribbling prowess. This elusive quality has become his hallmark.
Having honed his skills at Raja and the Mohammed VI Academy, he left Morocco at 18 to join Strasbourg. However, his time there didn't flourish. Away from the limelight, he continued to evolve with the reserves before revamping his career at Avranches in France’s third division.
At the time, no one foresaw the path ahead. By 2020, he was still playing in the National. A year later, Angers offered him a chance in Ligue 1, and the Moroccan seized it. His technical finesse, close control, and ability to withstand pressure quickly attracted attention.
The 2022 World Cup marked a turning point. In a Moroccan team initially spotlighting Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech, and Sofyan Amrabat, Ounahi seemed to emerge from nowhere. With each game, he became a driving force behind the Atlas Lions' historic charge to the semi-finals. His performances were so striking that Luis Enrique interrupted his analysis post-Spain's elimination to commend him.
«My God, where did this boy come from?» the Spanish coach remarked, admitting that his staff hadn't anticipated the impact of Morocco’s number 8. It became one of Qatar's World Cup's iconic moments.
The Prince of the Feint
Beyond his technique, it's the contrast between his appearance and his football that captivates.
For a long time, his physique raised doubts. Too slight. Not powerful enough. Lacking the robustness for the top level. Yet, it is precisely this build that has molded his style. Ounahi does not win duels through strength but by unsettling his opponents.
Following the World Cup, his career faced hurdles. Signed by Marseille after his stellar performances in Qatar, he struggled to meet expectations. Injuries, sporting instability, and coaching changes hampered his progress. A loan to Panathinaikos in Greece enabled him to regain form before his move to Girona in Spain, where he revitalized his career. His resurgence did not go unnoticed in the European market. Recently, his name has even been associated with Manchester City, illustrating that his talent continues to attract the continent’s elite clubs.
Even when club situations complicate, his status with the national team remains unwavering. Ounahi is more than a midfielder; he embodies a Moroccan generation that reached new heights in Qatar, ushering the Atlas Lions into a new era.
