Mohamed Ihattaren has made it clear that he will never represent the Netherlands at senior level, insisting that his international allegiance lies solely with Morocco.
The 22-year-old midfielder, who rose to prominence as a teenage sensation at PSV Eindhoven, said no circumstance would convince him to wear the Dutch jersey, stating that his loyalty to Morocco runs deep.
Speaking in an interview with ESPN, Ihattaren declared that his choice was definitive: “I would play for the Moroccan national team. One hundred percent. Either I represent Morocco, or I have no international career at all.”
Once regarded as one of the brightest young talents in Dutch football, Ihattaren’s career trajectory has been turbulent in recent years. After an electrifying breakthrough at PSV, his progress stalled amid disciplinary issues and off-field struggles.
A spell out of the spotlight followed, leaving his future uncertain and his international prospects seemingly distant.
However, Ihattaren has been working his way back to form, beginning last season with RKC Waalwijk before securing a move to Fortuna Sittard.
With renewed optimism surrounding his career, questions over his international future resurfaced. Ihattaren’s response was unequivocal: his heart is with Morocco.
The midfielder cited his deep connection to his family’s heritage and his experiences growing up in the Netherlands as key factors in his decision.
“When things were going badly, everyone in the Netherlands was against me. Then I was considered Moroccan. But when things are going well, suddenly you’re also Dutch. That’s what I’ve lived through,” he explained.
“I’m Moroccan by birth. I grew up in the Netherlands, but my parents are Moroccan. The love I receive in Morocco—from the people there and from Moroccans living here—is completely different. Even when I was going through difficult times, I felt that love. In the end, I am Moroccan, and I carry that with me. I’ll never wear a Dutch jersey.”
Despite his firm stance, Ihattaren has previously represented the Netherlands at youth level. He featured regularly for the Dutch under-17 and under-19 teams and was even called up to the senior squad in 2020.
At the time, then-manager Ronald Koeman selected him for UEFA Nations League fixtures against Poland and Italy, but Ihattaren did not make his debut.
His latest comments effectively close the door on any future involvement with the Dutch national team. Instead, Ihattaren has set his sights on earning a place with Morocco, who have enjoyed a resurgence on the global stage in recent years.
For now, Ihattaren remains focused on reigniting his club career with Fortuna Sittard, where he is seeking to recapture the form that once made him one of Europe’s most promising young midfielders.
But his message about his international future is clear: his allegiance will remain with Morocco, the country of his heritage and the source of unwavering support throughout his struggles.
