Morocco Defender: 'Morocco Is Carried in the Blood

For 26-year-old Abdel Abqar, wearing Morocco's national team jersey means everything, no matter where a player first called home.

The Getafe defender recently opened up about identity, pride, and what it means to represent Morocco alongside teammates born in Spain and beyond. "It doesn't matter where you were born, in Spain or anywhere else, because Morocco is carried in the blood," Abqar told Spanish newspaper El Mundo.

Abqar shares the national team dressing room with stars like Brahim Díaz and Achraf Hakimi, both Spanish-born players who chose Morocco. For him, that shared connection runs deeper than any passport.

Born in Settat, Abqar's football dream started in the most humble way: watching matches at local cafés with his father. At just 11 years old, talent scouts invited him to join the prestigious Mohammed VI Football Academy, launching a journey that would test his resilience.

Leaving home so young proved harder than he imagined. "It was tough because I was just a kid," he admitted. "I didn't realise how hard it would be to be away from my family."

At 18, Abqar moved to Spain to join Málaga CF without speaking a word of Spanish. When Málaga didn't renew his contract after the pandemic, he refused to give up. He eventually found his opportunity at Deportivo Alavés before moving to Getafe CF.

The transition taught him independence the hard way. "In Morocco everything was in the same place: school, football, residence. In Spain I had to cook and shop. I learned by watching videos on the internet."

Why This Inspires

Abqar's story captures something powerful about identity and belonging in modern football. While some debate which country players should represent, he sees it simply: for Moroccan kids worldwide, the national team isn't just a choice but a calling passed down through generations.

"From when you're young, the first thing you hear from friends is: 'I want to play for the national team,'" he explained. "Clubs are important, but for many Moroccan kids and their families, the biggest dream is the national team."

Making his senior debut for Morocco in 2024 fulfilled that childhood dream. "I had played with the under-17s and under-20s, but playing for the senior team can't be explained," he said. "It was my dream and my family's dream to see me wear that shirt."

After injuries kept him from the Africa Cup of Nations, Abqar now eyes his next milestone: winning a title with Morocco, bringing glory to the country he carries in his blood.