Sofiane Boufal, the talented Moroccan international, has expressed that he is currently experiencing one of the best phases of his career since returning to French football with Le Havre. He emphasized that the supportive atmosphere within the club, combined with the confidence instilled by the coach and management, has played a pivotal role in helping him quickly regain his form. In a detailed interview with Foot Mercato, Boufal shared insights about his dream of participating in the 2026 World Cup and reminisced about the historic achievement of the Moroccan national team during the 2022 World Cup.
When discussing his decision to represent Morocco instead of France in 2016, Boufal described it as a "decision of the heart," particularly after engaging in conversations with coach Hervé Renard. He expressed a desire to participate directly in the qualifying matches, ensuring that he did not join the national team merely to compete in major tournaments.
Reflecting on his absence from the recent Africa Cup of Nations, Boufal explained that his limited participation at the beginning of the season led to other players being more deserving of a spot on the team. Nevertheless, he affirmed that had he been present, his experience could have significantly contributed to the team's performance in the tournament.
Boufal regarded the disappointment of the 2023 tournament as particularly harsh, as he genuinely believed in Morocco's potential to win. An injury sustained just before the knockout stage left him feeling powerless, unable to assist his teammates during this crucial phase.
Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, Boufal confirmed that participating remains a natural objective for him, especially given the experience he has amassed wearing the "Atlas Lions" jersey. However, he stressed that his immediate priority is to ensure his team remains in the French league.
Describing the 2022 World Cup experience as "insane and historic," Boufal noted that no one expected Morocco to reach the semifinals. He revealed that the most gratifying aspect was bringing joy to Moroccan and Arab fans alike.
He took a moment to reflect on the match against Spain, where he delivered an impressive performance against Marcos Llorente, stating, "I am not the type of player who hides. That is not my style. For me, there is no pressure in football; the real pressure lies in everyday life." Boufal highlighted that his dribbling and boldness in such high-stakes matches boost the confidence of both the team and the fans, reiterating that the Moroccan squad boasted a strong character, thanks to players like Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech, and Azzedine Ounahi.
The group felt a sense of capability after their friendly match against Chile prior to the World Cup, and the draw against Croatia followed by the victory over Belgium bolstered their confidence to a level where they felt "invincible," as he put it.
Regarding their exit against France in the semifinals, Boufal acknowledged that physical fatigue was a critical factor, asserting that the Moroccan team had "reached the absolute physical limit," despite delivering a commendable performance against the French side. He also discussed the controversial moment involving him and Theo Hernandez in the penalty area, stating that the rapid nature of the incident and his complete focus on the game initially led him to believe he was the one at fault, adding that everything transpired in just "one second."
As reported by aljazeera.net.
