Mustapha Hadji criticises Sofyan Amrabat over Morocco national team decision

Former Morocco international Mustapha Hadji has criticised Sofyan Amrabat for refusing to play for the national team while Mohamed Ouahbi remains head coach, insisting that no player is bigger than the country.

Amrabat announced in early September that he would no longer accept national team call-ups under Ouahbi, although he stopped short of retiring from international football.

His decision has divided opinion among Moroccan supporters and drawn a strong response from Hadji, who believes representing the Atlas Lions should come before individual disagreements.

Speaking in an interview with Kooora, the former Moroccan star questioned Amrabat’s position and argued that players must respect the national team, regardless of their role or relationship with the coach.

” Who do you think you are? You are not above the selection, the coach, or the Moroccan flag ,” Hadji said.

” You must come to the national team and play without protesting, even if you only play one minute, because it’s an honor for you.”

Hadji, who won the African Ballon d’Or in 1998, made it clear that he disagreed with the idea of a player making his international availability dependent on a change in the coaching position.

He stressed that players represent their country rather than the individual in charge of the team, adding that Amrabat should not demand the removal of a coach before agreeing to return.

“You represent your country, not the coach. You shouldn’t demand his replacement, whether it’s Ouahbi, Regragui, or someone else,” Hadji concluded.

The dispute follows changes in Amrabat’s standing within the Moroccan national team. The midfielder, formerly of Manchester United, was left behind in the selection process for the 2026 World Cup, with the younger Ayyoub Bouaddi preferred for a place in the squad.

Ouahbi subsequently stated that a player’s previous contributions to the national team deserved recognition but did not guarantee special treatment or privileges.

Amrabat challenged that interpretation, maintaining that his decision was not simply a reaction to disappointment over his reduced playing time.

The midfielder’s position has since attracted criticism from supporters who believe his disagreement with the coach should not take precedence over his national team responsibilities.

Hadji’s comments reflect that view, with the former international arguing that representing Morocco is an honour that should not depend on a player’s status within the squad.

His criticism also comes against the backdrop of a family connection to the current coaching set-up. Hadji’s brother, Youssouf, serves as an assistant to Ouahbi.

For Hadji, however, the central issue remains the same: no individual player should place himself above the national team, its coach or the Moroccan flag.