Moroccan national team will always have a special place in my heart – Veteran striker Youssef El-Arabi

Veteran striker Youssef El-Arabi has opened up about the deep emotional bond he continues to share with the Moroccan national team, saying that representing his country remains one of the greatest honours of his career.

Now 38, El-Arabi has made an unexpected return to Ligue 1 after signing for FC Nantes, marking his first appearance in the French top flight since 2011.

He described the move as a major new challenge and expressed his desire to use his experience to guide a youthful squad seeking leadership on and off the pitch.

In a conversation with French outlet Ouest-France, the former Granada and Olympiacos forward reaffirmed his enduring affection for the Atlas Lions.

“The Moroccan national team will always have a special place in my heart,” he said.

El-Arabi also left the door open for a potential international comeback, insisting he still feels sharp enough to compete at the highest level.

“I am not closing the door, because I am still active and competitive. There is the Africa Cup of Nations coming up in Morocco, and then the World Cup afterwards,” he noted.

Reflecting on the country’s football development, he praised the significant progress made in recent years.

“The King has put many things in place, and there are also very high-level infrastructures. We have seen numerous teams come here to set up their training camps,” he said.

El-Arabi’s remarks illustrate the pride and emotional attachment that continue to define his relationship with the national team. Despite spending much of his club career across Europe and the Middle East, his commitment to Morocco has remained unwavering. His return to Ligue 1 could yet strengthen his case for a recall, bringing valuable leadership to a new generation ahead of major tournaments.

For El-Arabi, the national team isn’t just a chapter in his career — it’s a lifelong identity.