Mohammed VI Academy: The Most Influential 'Star Factory' in Africa

As the eyes of the African continent and the world turn towards the Kingdom of Morocco, preparing to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals, the conversation in the Moroccan sports scene is not limited to tactical discussions or the pursuit of the trophy absent since 1976. Instead, there is a deeper story dominating the national scene, a story titled "Investing in People," led by a single institution that has forever changed the face of Moroccan football: the Mohammed VI Football Academy.

When Moroccan fans look at the list of the "Atlas Lions" selected by coach Walid Regragui, they find five main pillars forming the backbone of the national team, all of whom passed through the gates of this sports fortress: Nayef Aguerd, Azzedine Ounahi, Youssef En-Nesyri, Oussama Targhalline, and Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal. Despite their different professional paths, they all speak the same football language, a language they learned behind the walls of the academy, which has become the continent's most influential "star factory."

The success of this generation was not a mere coincidence or an innate talent left uncared for; it was the result of a long-term strategic project whose foundations were laid two decades ago. Tariq Khazri, head of talent scouting at the academy, confirms that this institution did not grow out of the urgent needs of clubs but was a realization of a royal vision and initiative by King Mohammed VI, aiming to modernize the football system and build a generation capable of competing globally.

Nasser Larguet, the academy's first technical director, recalls the beginnings: "I arrived at the project with only a blank sheet of paper. The task was enormous, as it required designing everything from scratch between 2007 and 2010, from architectural plans to sports and educational curricula."

Larguet and his team toured the kingdom, observing over 15,000 children, ultimately selecting only 37. The selection process was "harsh" but purposeful, and soon the fruits began to mature. By the second year, academy students were infiltrating the national youth, junior, and Olympic teams. Today, everyone talks about the "brand" of the Mohammed VI Academy.

This brand is not only about technical precision or the ability to play under pressure in tight spaces but about "character." Khazri explains that academy graduates are distinguished by great humility and a deep awareness that they represent something bigger than themselves.

This identity is clearly embodied in Nayef Aguerd, the defender who represents composure and responsibility; in Azzedine Ounahi, the maestro who gives Morocco an elegant rhythm reminiscent of classic playmakers; and in Youssef En-Nesyri, who arrived at the academy as a young player with speed and raw talent and transformed into a striker with field intelligence and physical abilities that make him a man for big occasions. Joining them are Oussama Targhalline with his intelligence in midfield and Ait Boudlal, who represents the continuity of this unique production line.

Tariq Khazri rejects measuring the academy's success merely by professional contract signings or transfers to European leagues. For him, the true standard is "maturity and continuity," clarifying, "The bet is not won at selection or signing but when the player's level stabilizes with his club and national team over the long term."

The numbers speak for themselves: of the 57 players supervised by Larguet, 47 became professional players, 15 moved directly to Europe, and many participated in World Cups, Olympic Games, and Africa Cup of Nations finals. The Moroccan model has evolved from a mere "experiment" to a "respected methodology" now studied by other African federations seeking to emulate this success, according to the official website of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Perhaps the most exceptional feature of the academy is its strict focus on education. Larguet emphasizes that academic discipline, daily structure, and respect for communal life were integral parts of player development. "The football career ends at thirty or thirty-five years old, so what comes after must be anticipated." This educational foundation has given players the ability to withstand enormous national pressures without breaking and to face setbacks with maturity and wisdom.

With the kickoff of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, the Mohammed VI Academy stands as a living testament that African excellence can be created and developed on the continent's soil. Moroccan talent no longer needs to leave early for Europe to achieve their dreams; the academy has changed the equation by providing infrastructure and methodology comparable to global institutions.

For Nayef Aguerd, playing in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil carries meanings beyond football, explaining, "It is a tremendous honor, and all thanks to the King for his global vision of Moroccan and African football. We gave everything to defend this academy and the values of our country."

In conclusion, the story of the 2025 edition may not just be a search for a long-lost continental title but the "crowning chapter" of a project that began patiently two decades ago, confirming that Morocco has not only built a strong team but crafted a new "catalog" of sports success in Africa, blending national identity with global standards.