Paris Saint-Germain rested its Moroccan right-back, Achraf Hakimi, against Troyes on Saturday in the French Football League, before joining the Moroccan national team camp on Monday, according to what the Parisian club announced on Friday.
Saint-Germain, the champion of France and the European League, said in a statement: “In agreement with the coach and the sports administration, Achraf Hakimi will benefit from a rest period until the start of the international break.”
In early October, after the last camp for the national team, Ousmane Dembélé and Portuguese Nuno Mendes also received a “rest period” granted by Spanish coach Luis Enrique and the club management, in a step that Saint-Germain used to resort to to avoid physical problems.
Since then, the two players have suffered two muscle injuries in the thigh, and they will in turn miss Saturday’s confrontation with Troyes at Parc des Princes, along with Brazilian Marquinhos (thigh) and Georgian Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (knee).
Morocco will play Niger twice, on November 13 and 17, in the third and fourth rounds of the 2027 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Alberto Nuñez Viejo, the Spanish right-wing candidate for the position of Prime Minister, stated that Spain, which is participating in organizing the 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal and Morocco, must withdraw if it does not host the final match of the football tournament.
The leader of the Popular Party (right), which is leading in opinion polls ahead of the November 29 elections, stressed during his appearance Thursday evening on the television program “El Chiringuito” that the World Cup final should be held “where it is fair, where it is appropriate, and where it is indisputable: in Spain.”
In response to a question about whether, if he assumed the position of prime minister, he would call for the withdrawal of Spain’s candidacy to organize the World Cup if Morocco won to host the final match, Fejo was decisive in his answer: “Yes.” The answer is yes.”
Vijo wrote on the “X” platform, on Friday, attaching a link to the interview: “Restoring our country’s pride also means not allowing anyone to trample on us... The first world power in football cannot be insulted.”
Spain and Morocco are competing to host the final match, with Madrid betting on Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, while Morocco is counting on Moulay Hassan Stadium, which can accommodate about 115,000 spectators in Benslimane, near Casablanca, and which will become the largest stadium in the world.
Fawzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation and an influential figure in this field, confirmed last September that this match of global interest would be held in his country “whether some people like it or not.”
For its part, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) confirmed at the time that no decision had been taken in this regard yet.
These statements come in the wake of the storming of tens of thousands of migrants, in late July, into the occupied city of Ceuta, located in northern Morocco, coming from Morocco, causing a migration crisis that has not yet been completely resolved.
Vijo accused Morocco of being behind this "invasion", and pledged to take a "firm" approach towards the Kingdom of Morocco if he assumed the presidency of the government.
According to opinion polls, the Popular Party is expected to win the early legislative elections ahead of the Socialists, the party of current Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, but it may need the support of the far right to form the government.
On Friday, the Portuguese Football Federation pledged to honor Cristiano Ronaldo, with coach Jorge Jesus announcing his first squad since the captain's decision to retire from international football, and then faced a barrage of questions about the dispute that preceded the decision of the Saudi Al-Nasr captain.
Ronaldo (41 years old) announced his decision on Thursday via social media, bringing down the curtain on his career with the Portugal national team, which spanned 234 matches, during which he scored 146 goals. Pedro Proenca, president of the Portuguese Football Federation, promised to celebrate Ronaldo's contributions, although it was not revealed whether the striker would agree to play a farewell match.
“No honor will ever be enough to thank him for everything he gave to Portuguese football and to Portugal,” Proenza said before announcing the squad.
He added: “We will do our best to honor the legacy he leaves us.” Everything he has done deserves to be honored and celebrated.”
Jesus chose 7 new faces, including 5 players from the U-21 national team, to play in the European Nations League matches in November against Wales and Denmark, but Ronaldo’s absence overshadowed everything else.
Ronaldo left the Portugal national team camp at the end of last September before their match against Denmark in the Nations League without permission, and did not return. He later said that the reason for his departure was that coach Jesus did not fulfill promises he made to him.
Jesus appeared clearly upset when journalists pressed him to talk about the dispute, repeating that he wanted to discuss his choices instead of talking about Ronaldo.
Jesus said: “I made all my decisions with the best interests of the team in mind. As a coach, I have always advocated for what is best for the team. I am comfortable with my decision,” stressing that there is no grudge.
He added that Ronaldo remained in his plans until he announced his retirement on Thursday.
Jesus continued: “I found out about it at the same time as everyone else. Until then, I knew nothing about it. He was playing, he was scoring goals; “He was one of the players on my team’s roster.”
Jesus confirmed that he did not contact Ronaldo after that.
For his part, Proenca stressed that he, Jesus and all employees of the Portuguese Federation respect Ronaldo's decision, praising his leadership and influence on generations of Portuguese players.
He added: “The best way to honor and celebrate him is to honor his unlimited ambition. To always play to win. Never be afraid to be the best in the world.”
He continued: “Thank you for everything, Commander.” “This is your home and it always will be.”
