Ousmane Dembélé, the dynamic winger from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) of Mauritanian origin, has voiced his unequivocal support for Morocco as the Atlas Lions gear up for the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Dembélé’s allegiance to Morocco is deeply rooted in personal connections, as it is the native land of both his wife and fellow PSG teammate on the right side, Achraf Hakimi.
The fraternal gesture from Dembélé carries additional significance within the sporting context of PSG, currently grappling with the temporary absence of a key player, Achraf Hakimi, known as the Lion of the Atlas.
In light of Hakimi’s departure for international duties, Dembélé expressed his sentiments, stating, “He is a key player in our team, and we will miss him, but I hope that with Morocco, he will go as far as possible.”
These remarks, reported by Le Parisien, underscore the camaraderie and bond shared by Dembélé and Hakimi, particularly in their collaborative efforts on the right flank.
Dembélé’s commendable support extends beyond mere words, as the capital club, PSG, benefited from a gesture of preferential treatment.
Despite Hakimi’s commitment to the Moroccan national team and the initiation of their group preparations, he was made available for PSG’s Champions Trophy clash against Toulouse, resulting in a 2-0 victory for the Parisian side on Wednesday.
As the Atlas Lions embark on their AFCON 2023 journey, Dembélé’s unexpected show of support for Morocco has resonated across the football community, highlighting the camaraderie that transcends club boundaries and national affiliations.
The PSG winger’s gesture not only symbolizes unity within the team but also reinforces the broader spirit of sportsmanship and respect within the realm of international football.
🎙️Ousmane Dembele :
« Hakimi va nous manquer, c’est un joueur clef de notre équipe, j’espère qu’il ira le plus loin possible avec le Maroc. »
via @AbdellahBoulma pic.twitter.com/ePzukhjhX2
— DM SPORT (@dmsportma) January 3, 2024
