Morocco capable of beating Brazil and Argentina, says former Atlas Lions Star Mustapha Hadji

Morocco legend Mustapha Hadji believes the Atlas Lions are capable of defeating Brazil and Argentina, but has identified central defence as a major concern for coach Mohamed Ouahbi’s team.

Hadji, who represented Morocco between 1994 and 2002, believes Brazil and Argentina no longer pose the same threat they once did, while naming France, Spain and England as the three teams he considers particularly difficult opponents for Morocco.

The former Moroccan international made the comments in a video interview with Lakoora, which is scheduled to be published later.

Hadji names Morocco’s toughest opponents

Morocco have strengthened their standing in international football following their performances at the 2022 and 2026 World Cups. The Atlas Lions are ranked seventh in the latest FIFA rankings, ahead of the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Italy.

Asked which three national teams could defeat Morocco, Hadji identified France, Spain and England.

“The French national team is very difficult, as is Spain, even though we beat them in 2022, and the third team is England”.

However, he believes Brazil have lost some of the quality associated with their previous generations.

“Brazil no longer owns the team that it knew in the late nineties and the beginning of this century. It no longer owns Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, and Rivaldo. I see that it is not a terrifying team at the present time. It has become an ordinary team that Morocco can surpass.”

Hadji also expressed doubts about Argentina’s strength following Lionel Messi’s retirement.

“As for Argentina, it lost 90% of its strength after the retirement of Lionel Messi, who was doing everything from goals to assists, and I do not see that the rest of the players have a distinguished level, and therefore Morocco is also capable of defeating him”.