Eliesse Ben Seghir has opened up about his decision to represent Morocco at the international level, choosing the Atlas Lions over the French national team.
The AS Monaco winger, who had previously featured for France’s youth teams, made the bold move earlier this year, and in a recent interview, he reflected on the motivations behind his choice.
Having played for France’s under-16, under-17, under-18, and under-19 teams, Ben Seghir had a clear connection with the French football system.
However, after several appearances with Morocco’s Olympic team, he made the decision to commit to the senior national team.
His move has raised questions from some, but the 20-year-old has no regrets.
In an interview with Onze Mondial, Ben Seghir explained why he chose to represent Morocco, despite the earlier stages of his career being tied to the French setup.
Many say that I chose Morocco too early.
For me, there is no perfect timing.
When you want something, you have to go for it, you have to go for it.
And you must not pay attention to what is said about you,” he said.
He continued, “I wanted to play for Morocco, so why wait to play with the French A team when my wish is to play for Morocco? Yes, my choice came quite early in my career, I am proud of it, and above all, it is because the coach, Walid Regragui, called on me and placed great confidence in me.
Ben Seghir’s decision to join the Moroccan national team has already borne fruit, with the young winger earning eight caps since his senior debut.
His early commitment to Morocco reflects both his desire to represent the country of his heritage and his confidence in his footballing journey.
Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, has played a significant role in Ben Seghir’s international career.
The trust Regragui showed in him was pivotal in making the transition from French youth sides to the Moroccan senior team a smooth one.
The winger’s decision now stands as a testament to the ambition he holds for his career and his pride in wearing the Moroccan shirt.
With his commitment to Morocco now firmly established, Ben Seghir’s next steps will likely include further strengthening his place in the team as the Atlas Lions aim for success on the global stage.
