Villarreal attacker Ilias Akhomach explains why he chose Morocco over Spain

Moroccan international Ilias Akhomach has revealed that his decision to represent the Atlas Lions instead of Spain was driven by conviction, insisting he knew which country he wanted to play for from an early stage of his career.

The Villarreal attacker expressed gratitude to Spain for the opportunities and treatment he received while representing the country’s youth teams but maintained that his international allegiance was a decision he made with clarity.

Speaking to Castellón al Día, Akhomach explained that he had no doubts about his choice, despite having represented Spain at youth level before committing his international future to Morocco.

The winger also opened up about the injury setbacks that disrupted his progress towards the end of last season, admitting that they affected his ambitions after a promising spell at Rayo Vallecano.

Akhomach had been hoping to maintain his form and force his way into contention for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the injuries ultimately hampered his chances of making the tournament.

The Moroccan international remains determined to achieve that ambition in the future, describing participation in the World Cup as one of the biggest dreams a footballer can have.

Despite the disappointment, Akhomach is focused on rebuilding his momentum at club level as he continues his career with Villarreal.

The forward also spoke highly of coach Iñigo Pérez, whose previous working relationship with him at Rayo Vallecano has helped ease his adaptation to the current environment.

Akhomach explained that their familiarity has been beneficial, as he already understands Pérez’s tactical ideas, expectations and approach to managing players.

He described the Spanish coach as someone completely devoted to football, recalling the extraordinary commitment he demonstrated during their time together at Rayo Vallecano.

According to Akhomach, Pérez would regularly arrive at the training centre as early as 7:00 a.m. and remain there until 10:00 p.m., reflecting his dedication to improving the team and attending to every detail of his work.

The Moroccan winger noted that the coach has maintained the same demanding approach at Villarreal, where the facilities provide better working conditions than those available at Rayo Vallecano.

However, Akhomach stressed that the improved infrastructure has not changed Pérez’s work ethic or level of commitment. Instead, the coach continues to place significant emphasis on preparation, discipline and ensuring that his players understand his ideas.

He added that Villarreal’s squad grasped the coach’s philosophy from the outset, although implementing his methods still presented challenges.

For Akhomach, the immediate priority is to regain consistency, make the most of his opportunities at Villarreal and continue developing his game as he pursues his ambition of representing Morocco at a future World Cup.