Morocco striker Abderrazak Hamdallah retires from international football after winning Arab Cup

Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah has officially retired from international football at the age of 35. The forward announced his decision following a triumphant conclusion to his national team career, playing a pivotal role in Morocco’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Jordan in the 2025 Arab Cup final.

Hamdallah came off the bench as a substitute in the second half, with the Atlas Lions trailing 2-1, and scored a crucial late equalizer in the 87th minute, followed by the decisive winning goal in extra time, to secure the trophy.

Hamdallah cited a desire to create opportunities for a new generation of players as the primary reason for stepping away from the international stage. His departure marks the end of a national team journey that began in 2012.

Throughout his career with the national side, he earned a total of 28 caps and scored 8 goals. Hamdallah was also a member of the historic Moroccan squad that reached the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the first African nation to achieve such a feat.

While his international career concludes on a high note, the prolific striker will continue his professional club career.

He currently plays for Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League, where he has consistently been a top goalscorer. The 2025 Arab Cup provided a fairytale ending to his time with the national team, allowing him to retire having directly contributed to silverware.