Neil El Aynaoui’s reluctance to fully commit to the Moroccan national team has been justified by his father, who claims an injury is the primary reason for the midfielder’s hesitation.
Following RC Lens’ 1-0 victory over Olympique de Marseille on March 8, where El Aynaoui scored the decisive goal, the 23-year-old remained ambiguous about his international future.
When questioned in the mixed zone, he avoided making a definitive statement on whether he would pledge allegiance to Morocco’s senior team.
“For now, I’m focusing on improving my game and contributing to my club. Whatever happens next, happens,” he told reporters.
Regragui’s Growing Frustration
El Aynaoui’s lack of commitment has not gone unnoticed by Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, who addressed the situation while announcing his latest squad in mid-March.
The Atlas Lions boss, who first called up the midfielder a year ago, expressed his disappointment over the player’s indecisiveness.
“I invited Neil El Aynaoui in March 2024. He wanted to focus on establishing himself at his club and asked for patience. I left the door open, and it still is.
But at some point, the initiative must come from the player, not just the national team,” Regragui stated.
Father Claims Injury Behind Delay
In a recent statement relayed by Soccer212, El Aynaoui’s father stepped in to clarify his son’s stance. He insisted that the RC Lens player is fully committed to representing Morocco but is currently dealing with a physical issue that has prevented him from making the move.
“My son has chosen the Atlas Lions. The only reason he hasn’t joined Morocco yet is an injury. I have been in contact with Walid Regragui to coordinate his arrival once he has recovered,” he explained.
However, despite this claim, El Aynaoui has been a consistent presence in the RC Lens squad, featuring regularly and delivering strong performances.
In his last five matches, he has contributed three goals and one assist, casting doubt among Moroccan fans and staff about the true nature of his situation.
🚨 URGENT
Le papa de Neil El Aynaoui : « Mon fils a choisi les Lions de l’Atlas. Seule une blessure l’empêche de rejoindre le Maroc. Je suis en contact avec Walid Regragui pour fixer sa venue une fois rétabli. »
BONNE NOUVELLE ? pic.twitter.com/EN8xUognpK
— SOCCER212 (@SCCR_212) April 1, 2025
