Azzedine Ounahi stands out like ... Lionel Messi

09.07.26 FT World Cup

France

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Morocco

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Morocco's journey came to an end in the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a defeat against France (2-0). Among the standout players during Morocco's remarkable run was none other than Azzedine Ounahi.

The Girona midfielder was one of the Atlas Lions' key weapons in the heart of the pitch, dazzling especially with his dribbling skills, as his tournament stats clearly demonstrate.

According to Opta, the Casablanca native completed 20 dribbles over the last two World Cups while also being fouled more than 20 times. He is not alone in this "provocative" category—he shares this unique stat with Lionel Messi.

Just like the Argentine superstar, who remains in the tournament with a quarter-final against Switzerland on the horizon (Sunday, 1 a.m. GMT), the former Marseille man is a nightmare for opposing defenses thanks to his technique and blistering pace. He can beat defenders one-on-one or force them to commit fouls.

Azzedine Ounahi used this 2026 World Cup as a platform to boost his stats with the Moroccan national team. After scoring a brace against Canada, he now boasts 11 goals in 55 international appearances.

Imed Ben Amara |

Editorar, fr

Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.

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