Breaking: Real Madrid Scouts Target Morocco's Rising Star Nayel El Aynaoui

In what could become one of the most significant transfers for Moroccan football in recent years, Real Madrid has officially placed AS Roma midfielder Nayel El Aynaoui on their shortlist of target players. According to renowned transfer journalist Sacha Tavolieri, scouts from the Spanish giants were closely monitoring El Aynaoui's performances throughout the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco, and what they witnessed has convinced club officials to pursue the 22-year-old midfielder seriously.

Sky Sports Deutschland correspondent Tavolieri revealed that El Aynaoui's commanding displays with the Moroccan national team during AFCON 2025 significantly impressed Real Madrid's decision-makers, elevating him into the exclusive shortlist of players the Merengues are actively tracking. This marks the first phase of what could become a comprehensive pursuit: Real Madrid has officially entered the monitoring stage, where they will closely follow El Aynaoui's performances with Roma for the remainder of the 2025-26 season before making a final decision on submitting a formal offer.

El Aynaoui's Enthusiasm for the Bernabéu Move

Perhaps most significantly for Morocco fans, sources close to the player have confirmed that El Aynaoui himself is "extremely enthusiastic" about the prospect of joining Real Madrid. According to Tavolieri, the midfielder has made it clear that if an official offer arrives—particularly during the upcoming summer transfer window—he would consider the Santiago Bernabéu his first-choice destination. This mutual interest between player and club could accelerate negotiations once Madrid completes their evaluation period.

While preliminary contacts have already been established with El Aynaoui's representatives, these discussions remain at an informal stage. Real Madrid's methodical approach involves comprehensive scouting before committing to any transfer, and there are currently no indications that a deal could materialize during the current winter transfer window. The focus remains firmly on the summer of 2026, when Madrid could make their move for the talented Moroccan.

The Return of "The Magician": Hakim Ziyech Back at Wydad Casablanca

In another major development for Moroccan club football, national team star Hakim Ziyech recently made his official debut for Wydad Casablanca after completing his much-anticipated return to domestic football. The former Chelsea and Ajax playmaker appeared in his first competitive match for the Red Castle, and despite being absent from competitive action for several months due to injury, Ziyech delivered a performance that reminded fans why he's considered one of Africa's most technically gifted players.

Technical Brilliance Despite Long Absence

Wydad head coach Rulani Mokwena offered his assessment of Ziyech's debut performance, acknowledging both the midfielder's quality and the realistic expectations given his prolonged layoff. "Hakim played an acceptable match," Mokwena explained in his post-match press conference. "I know he played as a central midfielder, and his strength really lies when he plays on the right flank. You should expect many more matches from him. Azeddine Ounahi will join us soon, so we'll have options in midfield."

The South African tactician continued: "Today (yesterday), there was no Zaroury or Azizki, so I was forced to place Hakim in that position. He hasn't played in that role for a while, but I think his level was good, especially for a first match. He provided passes, attempted shots—he'll show a better version match by match, God willing."

Indeed, despite the tactical adjustment and months away from match fitness, Ziyech showcased flashes of his trademark brilliance: millimeter-perfect passes that unlocked defensive lines, intelligent movement off the ball, expertly weighted through balls, direction-changing dribbles that left defenders bewildered, and dangerous strikes that tested opposing goalkeepers. Physically, as Mokwena noted, Ziyech still requires time to rebuild his conditioning—a natural consequence of his extended injury absence.

The Road Back to the National Team

For Moroccan football observers, Ziyech's return to regular competitive action carries significance beyond Wydad's domestic ambitions. Many believe that consistent performances at club level could pave the way for his return to the Atlas Lions squad, particularly with the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon. If Ziyech can avoid further injuries and accumulate match fitness over the coming months, his experience and technical quality could prove invaluable during Morocco's World Cup campaign as co-hosts alongside the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Achraf Dari's European Ambitions: Al Ahly Defender Eyes World Cup Spot

Moroccan international defender Achraf Dari is actively pursuing a return to European football during the remaining six months of the season, driven primarily by his ambition to secure a place in Morocco's squad for the 2026 World Cup. According to Egyptian football journalist Ahmed Shobir, Dari—currently with Al Ahly Cairo—has attracted interest from European clubs, though negotiations have encountered complications regarding financial arrangements.

Contract Complications and Transfer Possibilities

The proposed European moves include a stipulation that Al Ahly continue paying Dari's full salary during any loan spell, a condition the Egyptian giants have rejected. This has left two potential solutions on the table: either a mutual contract termination that would allow Dari to sign as a free agent, or a loan arrangement where Al Ahly agrees to cover only a portion of his wages rather than the complete amount. Sources indicate that Al Ahly's management remains open to both scenarios, recognizing the player's desire for regular European competition ahead of the World Cup.

Dari's situation reflects a broader trend among Moroccan internationals who recognize that consistent performance at the highest levels of European football significantly enhances their World Cup selection prospects. Having been included in Morocco's preliminary squad for AFCON 2025 before injury forced his withdrawal, Dari understands that the next six months will be crucial in convincing national team coach Walid Regragui of his readiness for the global stage.

Shadi Riyad's Comeback Gains Momentum at Crystal Palace

Following yesterday's report on his return with Crystal Palace's first team—where he provided an assist—Shadi Riyad continued his rehabilitation process by featuring in a match for Palace's Under-21 squad against Derby County. The young Moroccan defender scored with an excellent header, demonstrating the aerial prowess that has made him a valuable asset when fully fit.

Building Match Fitness After Nearly a Year Out

The primary objective of these youth team appearances is accumulating competitive minutes to restore Riyad's match sharpness and physical conditioning as quickly as possible. After missing nearly a full year due to injury, returning to the intensity and pace of the Premier League—widely considered the fastest and most physically demanding top-flight competition in world football—requires a carefully managed rehabilitation program.

Encouragingly, Riyad appears to have overcome the injury completely, with no lingering effects visible in his movement or play. His current focus centers entirely on regaining the physical conditioning and match rhythm he possessed before his lengthy absence. If this progression continues positively, Riyad could realistically force his way back into Morocco's World Cup calculations, particularly given the tournament's proximity and Morocco's need for reliable defensive options.

Abdessamad Ezzalzouli Finds Form with Real Betis

In Spanish La Liga action, Moroccan winger Abdessamad Ezzalzouli delivered an impressive performance for Real Betis, scoring a goal in circumstances eerily reminiscent of a chance he missed during the AFCON 2025 final against Senegal. The similarity between the two situations was striking: both involved similar positioning, similar service, and similar finishing opportunities—yet this time, Ezzalzouli made no mistake.

Learning From AFCON Disappointment

Some social media commentary suggested Ezzalzouli's subdued celebration indicated he was exorcising the ghost of his AFCON final miss, as though scoring this goal provided psychological closure after the tournament disappointment. However, the reality appears more straightforward: Ezzalzouli didn't celebrate enthusiastically because Real Betis was losing 2-0 at the time he scored. His goal came in the 95th minute—essentially the final kick of the match—making any elaborate celebration inappropriate given his team's imminent defeat.

Ezzalzouli played the full 90 minutes and received a match rating of 6.8 from statistical analysis platforms, reflecting a solid if unspectacular overall performance. For Morocco's World Cup hopes, the most important factor is that Ezzalzouli continues accumulating regular minutes at a competitive level, maintaining the form that made him a valuable squad option during AFCON.

AFCON 2025 Final Fallout: CAF Postpones Senegal Disciplinary Hearing

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has postponed the disciplinary hearing concerning events that occurred during the AFCON 2025 final between Morocco and Senegal. The delay came at Senegal's request, which the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) agreed to accommodate. CAF's disciplinary committee has rescheduled the hearing for tomorrow (at the time of the original report), with FRMF Director Fouzi Lekjaa expected to attend alongside representatives from the Senegalese Football Federation.

Senegalese Federation President's Controversial Claims

The hearing takes place against a backdrop of inflammatory statements from Senegalese Football Federation President Abdoulaye Faal, who recently made serious allegations suggesting Morocco wields undue influence within CAF. Faal's comments, which accused Morocco of "controlling everything" within the African football governing body, drew sharp criticism from multiple quarters as an apparent attempt to pressure the ethics committee into lenient treatment of Senegal's controversial final walkoff.

Moroccan Lawyers Association Files Formal Complaint

In response to Faal's accusations, Morocco's Bar Association announced it will file complaints with both FIFA and CAF ethics committees regarding the Senegalese president's allegations. The legal action aims to ensure that such serious accusations—made without evidence and seemingly designed to deflect from Senegal's own conduct issues—do not go unchallenged. The Bar Association's statement emphasized that allowing football officials to make baseless corruption allegations without accountability would set a dangerous precedent for African football governance.

This legal escalation underscores Moroccan stakeholders' determination to defend their reputation and ensure that the AFCON final controversy is adjudicated based on facts rather than political maneuvering. Many observers note the irony of Faal's strategy: attempting to defend against potential sanctions by launching unsubstantiated attacks on the host nation and CAF itself appears more likely to invite additional scrutiny than generate sympathy.

International Recognition: AFCON 2025 Organization Praised Despite Controversy

Algerian International Praises Morocco's "European-Level" Standards

Amid the post-tournament controversy, numerous international voices have praised Morocco's organization of AFCON 2025. Algeria international Islam Slimani delivered particularly striking comments, stating: "The Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco was held under European conditions. The upcoming editions will be under real African conditions." This remark, captured on video, acknowledged the exceptional quality of Morocco's stadiums, training facilities, transportation infrastructure, and overall tournament organization—standards Slimani compared favorably to European competitions rather than typical African tournament environments.

Tunisian Analyst's Strong Defense of Morocco

Tunisian international and beIN Sports analyst Hatem Trabelsi offered equally emphatic praise, stating: "We are part of Morocco because we are sons of one continent: Africa. Morocco represents Africa just as it represents the Arab world. Just as we all felt pride when Qatar succeeded in organizing the World Cup, we are proud today of what we witnessed in Morocco—world-class organization, wonderful stadiums, distinguished hospitality. Whoever does not love Morocco is nothing but envious or spiteful. We wish Morocco all success."

Trabelsi's comments highlighted an important distinction often overlooked in tournament post-mortems: when Qatar hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup, neighboring Gulf states like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates rallied in support rather than attempting to undermine the achievement. The infrastructure and wealth present in Qatar also exists in those neighboring nations, eliminating any sense of inferiority or competitive jealousy.

By contrast, Morocco's comprehensive advancement—in sports infrastructure, tournament hosting capability, talent development, and international title achievements—has sparked what Trabelsi diplomatically termed "envy" among certain regional neighbors. Rather than responding to Morocco's success by improving their own programs, some critics have chosen to attempt diminishing Moroccan achievements through negative commentary and unfounded accusations. Trabelsi's pointed observation that "whoever does not love Morocco is nothing but envious or spiteful" resonated strongly with Moroccan fans who have noted this asymmetric response.

Stadium Infrastructure Comparison: Morocco vs. Barcelona

Heavy Rains Expose Barcelona's Camp Nou Issues

In an development relevant to Morocco's 2030 World Cup hosting bid, Camp Nou—FC Barcelona's under-renovation stadium that will host the World Cup final if the Spanish-Portuguese-Moroccan joint bid succeeds—experienced significant water infiltration issues during recent heavy rainfall. Despite the stadium being under extensive renovation and modernization, yesterday's storms resulted in waterfalls cascading through the stands and into areas designated for journalists and media personnel.

Programs known for their pro-Real Madrid editorial stance seized upon the images with particular enthusiasm, highlighting the irony that Camp Nou suffered such infrastructure failures despite years of renovation work. The incident marks the second time in recent weeks that Camp Nou has experienced serious rain damage during storms—a concerning pattern for a venue positioned to potentially host the world's most-watched sporting event.

Implications for 2030 World Cup Final Venue Selection

FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta addressed the situation by acknowledging the issues while emphasizing that Camp Nou remains under construction: "We expected to get wet because of the rain since the roof isn't complete yet. The stadium is still under construction, and we'll fix everything that needs fixing gradually. Every day we see new progress. The third tier is advancing well, as are the internal finishes. Everything is proceeding as planned."

While Laporta's explanation is technically accurate—the stadium is indeed incomplete—the optics remain problematic. If similar rain events had occurred at Moroccan venues during AFCON 2025, Spanish media outlets would likely have conducted sustained critical campaigns questioning Morocco's readiness for World Cup hosting responsibilities. The double standard hasn't gone unnoticed by Moroccan football observers, who see these incidents as ammunition for Morocco's bid to host the World Cup final rather than deferring to Spain.

Moroccan media strategists and football federation officials should leverage these vulnerabilities, using them as evidence in ongoing discussions with FIFA about final venue selection. The contrast between Morocco's weather-resilient AFCON stadiums and Camp Nou's repeated rain infiltration issues provides concrete data points supporting Morocco's case for hosting the 2030 final.

Frequently Asked Questions About Morocco Football News

Looking Ahead: Morocco's Football Future Remains Bright

As these various storylines converge, Moroccan football finds itself at a fascinating crossroads. The potential transfer of Nayel El Aynaoui to Real Madrid would represent not just an individual achievement but a validation of Morocco's player development systems and the visibility provided by hosting major tournaments like AFCON. Young Moroccan talents increasingly find themselves on the radar of Europe's elite clubs, a trend that benefits both individual players and the national team program.

Hakim Ziyech's return to Moroccan football, meanwhile, represents a different narrative arc—that of an established international star choosing to finish his career contributing to domestic football development. If Ziyech can recapture his best form with Wydad, his presence in the Botola Pro league will elevate competition standards while potentially opening the door for a national team return that could prove valuable during World Cup 2026.

The journeys of players like Achraf Dari and Shadi Riyad highlight the competitive reality of international football: maintaining relevance for World Cup selection requires consistent performance at the highest levels. Their determination to return to or remain in top European leagues demonstrates the professional standards Moroccan players now hold themselves to, knowing that Morocco's World Cup squad will feature only those who have proven themselves against elite competition.

The AFCON 2025 Legacy: Beyond Controversy

While the AFCON 2025 final's controversial ending dominated immediate post-tournament discussion, the broader legacy of Morocco's hosting success should not be overshadowed. The tournament showcased Morocco's organizational capabilities, world-class infrastructure, and passionate football culture to a global audience. International players and analysts consistently praised the tournament's standards, comparisons to European competitions, and the warm hospitality extended to visiting teams and fans.

This positive international perception strengthens Morocco's position not only in future CAF tournament bidding but also in the critical 2030 World Cup hosting decisions still to come. The contrast between Morocco's reliable stadium infrastructure and the rain infiltration issues at Barcelona's Camp Nou provides FIFA with concrete performance data that could influence final venue selections, particularly for the tournament's showcase matches.

Navigating Geopolitical Football Dynamics

The accusations leveled by Senegal's federation president illustrate the complex geopolitical dynamics that increasingly characterize African football. Morocco's success—sporting, organizational, and infrastructural—has generated responses ranging from genuine admiration to envious criticism. The Moroccan football community's firm response, including legal action against baseless corruption allegations, signals a mature approach to defending national reputation while letting sporting and organizational achievements speak for themselves.

As Tunisia's Hatem Trabelsi astutely observed, those who cannot celebrate Morocco's achievements often reveal more about their own insecurities than about any legitimate concerns. Morocco's strategy should remain focused on continued excellence: developing young talents like El Aynaoui, integrating returning stars like Ziyech, maintaining world-class infrastructure, and preparing meticulously for the 2026 World Cup as co-hosts.