El Ouahdi's Ambition to Shine on the World Stage
Zakaria El Ouahdi has openly declared his ambition to secure a spot on the Moroccan National Team for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, fueled by his recent achievement of winning the prestigious Ebony Shoe award. This accolade is presented to the top African player competing in the Belgian Pro League, and El Ouahdi views it as a pivotal moment in his career that enhances his prospects of joining the national squad. In a heartfelt statement following his victory, he expressed, “I think about the World Cup every day since it is everyone’s dream. I wish to be a part of the Moroccan National Team, and I’ll do the best I can to be present there.”
The right-back for K.R.C. Genk, El Ouahdi, also shared his excitement about being compared to Achraf Hakimi, a player he admires and considers a role model. He stated, “I follow Achraf closely and he serves as an inspiration to me.” Winning the Ebony Shoe not only reflects his individual talent but also places him among the elite players who have previously received this honor, including notable figures like Mbark Boussoufa and Romelu Lukaku.
Outstanding Performance and Recognition
In recent weeks, El Ouahdi has established himself as one of the standout players for K.R.C. Genk, contributing significantly to the team's success with an impressive tally of 12 goals and 5 assists over the course of 41 matches. His remarkable performance has not gone unnoticed, as he becomes the third Moroccan player to capture the Ebony Shoe, following in the footsteps of Mbark Boussoufa, who won it multiple times, and Tarik Tissoudali in 2022. This latest accolade adds to El Ouahdi's growing list of achievements, which also includes winning the Belgian Lion award last year, designated for players of North African descent in the Belgian first division.
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
