Carrier of a revolutionary project in terms of prospecting and training young athletes in Morocco, the Mohammed VI Football Academy has established itself over the years as an essential pool of talents who today delight clubs with national and international levels.
Thanks to comprehensive training combining technical excellence, tactical discipline and academic education, this prestigious institution prepares its graduates to integrate at the highest global level. Thus, many players trained at the Academy play in European clubs, with a marked preference for France.
Indeed, the approach adopted, inspired by international standards, attracts the attention of famous teams every year, particularly in France (Ligue 1 and 2) where these gems stand out for their technical quality and work mentality which enrich the clubs. of France.
Inspiring trajectories
Child prodigy of this factory of champions, the now indestructible spearhead of the defense of the Atlas Lions, Nayef Aguerd, is an eloquent example of this notable success. After his time at Dijon, he experienced a meteoric rise, first making a name for himself at Stade Rennais before joining West Ham, in England, for a transfer estimated at 35 million euros. It eloquently illustrates the impact of this institution on international careers.
In 2023, around ten players from the Mohammed VI Academy were listed in French clubs. Angers SCO, in particular, stood out by integrating several young Moroccan talents into its squad, like the twirling Azzedine Ounahi, who immediately caught the eye of Olympique de Marseille, becoming a key player in the Ligue 1.
The success stories from the Mohammed VI Academy are multiplying and can no longer be counted. Youssef En-Nesyri, although having joined directly the Spanish championship (Malaga), then becoming a star striker for Sevilla FC and pillar of the Moroccan national team, is emblematic of the Academy’s training standards.
Oussama Targhaline (FC Havre), Alaa Bellarouch (RC Strasbourg), Abdelhamid Aboudlal (Stade Rennes), Yassine Khalifi (LOSC Lille) or even the very recent Hamza Koutoune who signed this week for OGC Nice… the list of winners of the Mohammed VI Academy that French clubs are fighting for is only getting longer.
“The enthusiasm of Ligue 1 and 2 clubs for young talents from the Mohammed VI Academy is based on several reasons, which testify to the exceptional quality of the training provided in this specialized elite training institution”, testifies Moroccan expert Yassine Echahdi, member of the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).
Exemplary infrastructure and supervision
Built on an area of 18 hectares, the Mohammed VI Academy has modern infrastructure and facilities that rival the best training centers in the world, with individualized monitoring to maximize the potential of young players.
“The Mohammed VI Academy is equipped with modern infrastructure and high-level coaching, with qualified coaches, advanced training methods and programs adapted to international standards,” noted the Moroccan expert residing in Strasbourg. in a statement to MAP, noting that players trained at the Academy receive excellent technical, tactical and physical mastery, making them immediately competitive in high-level championships even at a very young age.
Mr. Echahdi noted that the coaches working within the Academy, often from elite football, adopt modern training methods, aligned with the requirements of European clubs, noting that the emphasis is placed on technicality, tactical rigor and mental development, offering players optimal preparation for international competitions.
-In addition to sports training, the Academy emphasizes personal development, values such as discipline, and academic education. This builds balanced players, capable of adapting quickly to demanding environments, such as those in Ligues 1 and 2, he said.
In this regard, the international expert praised the key role played by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) in supporting and promoting the work carried out by the Mohammed VI Academy, welcoming this close collaboration between the different speakers, “an exemplary model of synergy serving the development of young talents”.
Limitless ambition
Much more than an elite training center, the Mohammed VI Football Academy presents a visionary strategy to position Morocco as a major player in world football. By providing quality talent to French clubs, and everywhere else, especially in Europe, it highlights the potential of Moroccan football.
In this regard, Yassine Echahdi highlights the enlightened vision of HM King Mohammed VI “who was able to anticipate and prepare the future of sport in Morocco with an exemplary strategy”, noting that the creation of the Mohammed VI Football Academy symbolizes this avant-garde vision.
“By investing in the training of young talents, the Sovereign has laid the foundations for sustainable development, not only for Moroccan football, but also for the country’s influence on an international scale,” he welcomes. .
This transformation goes beyond the simple sporting framework. It reflects a national ambition carried by His Majesty, aiming to inspire youth, promote the values of discipline and excellence and strengthen the image of Morocco on the international scene.
The Academy winners thus embody successful integration into European football, not only through their sporting performances, but also through their ability to become leaders within their respective teams. This success strengthens the influence of their parent company and contributes to the attraction of young Moroccans to professional football.
However, the Mohammed VI Academy is not content with its current successes. By diversifying its partnerships with other European Leagues, it is preparing to play a central role in the sphere of high-level football and carve out a place of choice on the world football stage.
And the future of this great Institution, which arouses respect and admiration, seems even more promising with a growing interest from European recruiters, which should make it a world reference in terms of training, while contributing to the growth of Moroccan football, today become a source of pride for the entire nation and a model for many countries.
Par Salah Aouni (MAP)
