Outstanding Training Serves Moroccan Football

At a time when the eyes of the African continent and the world are on the Kingdom of Morocco, which is preparing to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals, the conversation in the Moroccan sports scene does not seem to be limited only to tactical discussions or the search for the trophy absent since 1976; rather, there is a deeper story dominating the national scene, titled "Investing in People," with its hero being a single institution that has changed the face of Moroccan football forever: the Mohammed VI Football Academy.

Today, when the Moroccan fan looks at the list of the "Atlas Lions" chosen 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 sporting fortress; they are Nayef Aguerd, Azzedine Ounahi, Youssef En-Nesyri, Oussama Targhalline, and Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal. Despite their different professional paths, they speak a single football language, a language they learned behind the walls of the academy, which has become today the most influential "star factory" on the continent.

The success of this generation was not a mere coincidence or a natural talent that found no one to nurture it, but rather 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 was not built out of urgent need from clubs but was the embodiment 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 first technical director of the academy, recalls the beginnings, saying: "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, starting from architectural plans to sports and educational curricula."

Larguet and his team toured the kingdom, observing more than 15,000 children, and in the end, only 37 children were selected. 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 reflected in Nayef Aguerd, the defender who embodies composure and responsibility; in Azzedine Ounahi, the maestro who gives Morocco an elegant rhythm reminiscent of classic playmakers; Youssef En-Nesyri arrived at the academy as a young player with speed and raw talent, transforming there into a striker with field intelligence and physical abilities that make him a man for big occasions. They are joined by Oussama Targhalline with his intelligence in midfield, and Ait Boudlal, who represents the continuity of this unique production line.

Tariq Khazri refuses to measure the academy's success merely by signing professional contracts or moving to European leagues. For him, the true standard is "maturity and continuity," adding: "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: among 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 transformed from a mere "experiment" into 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 confirms that academic discipline, daily structure, and respect for communal life were an integral part of player development. He added: "The football career ends at thirty or thirty-five years old, so what comes after must be anticipated." This educational foundation gave players the ability to withstand enormous national pressures without breaking and to face setbacks with maturity and wisdom.

With the launch of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tomorrow, Sunday, the Mohammed VI Academy stands as a living witness that African excellence can be created and developed on the continent's soil. The talented Moroccan no longer has to leave early for Europe to achieve his dream, as 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, stating: "It is a tremendous honor. 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 missing continental title but the "crowning chapter" of a project that began patiently and deliberately twenty years ago, confirming that Morocco has not only built a strong team but has crafted a new "catalog" of sporting success in Africa, blending national identity with global standards.