Abdel Abqar eyes silverware with Morocco after senior debut

Abdel Abqar has opened up about his strong bond with Morocco and the pride he feels representing the national team, reflecting on his journey from Settat to Spain’s top flight with Getafe CF.

In an interview with the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, the 26-year-old centre-back shared his perspective on national identity and what it truly means to wear the Moroccan jersey.

For Abqar, identity is not confined to birthplace, especially when discussing members of the Moroccan squad who were raised outside the country. He emphasised that heritage and belonging run much deeper.

“It doesn’t matter where you were born, in Spain or anywhere else, because Morocco is carried in the blood,” Abqar said. “For us it’s not different if someone was born in Spain. When we play, we do it united.”

Within the national setup, Abqar lines up alongside players such as Brahim Díaz and Achraf Hakimi, both born in Spain but committed to representing Morocco on the international stage. For him, that shared commitment reinforces a collective spirit built on pride and unity.

He explained that the dream of playing for the national team often begins in childhood, long before professional ambitions fully take shape.

“From when you’re young, the first thing you hear from friends is: ‘I want to play for the national team.’ Clubs are important, but for many Moroccan kids and their families, the biggest dream is the national team.”

Abqar earned his senior debut for Morocco in 2024, marking a milestone he described as the realization of a lifelong aspiration. Having previously featured for the country’s under-17 and under-20 sides, stepping onto the pitch for the senior team carried a different emotional weight.

“I had played with the under-17s and under-20s, but playing for the senior team can’t be explained,” he said. “It was my dream and my family’s dream to see me wear that shirt.”

Although injuries ruled him out of participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, his ambition remains clear as he looks ahead to future tournaments.

“My next dream is to win a title with my national team.”