Former Morocco international Younes Belhanda has spoken about the lasting impact of being left out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup squad. He revealed that missing the tournament was extremely difficult for him, to the point where he avoided watching Morocco's matches during the competition. Belhanda had hoped to feature in the World Cup before retiring from international football. His exclusion from the squad, announced by coach Walid Regragui, was particularly hard to accept given their past working relationship.
Belhanda and Regragui had previously worked together when Regragui was an assistant coach. The 36-year-old midfielder received a call-up shortly before the final squad was announced, making his eventual omission unexpected. He expressed that he would have understood the decision if Regragui had personally explained his reasons. However, Belhanda was disappointed by the lack of communication from Regragui, which he found more painful than the decision itself.
Belhanda recounted that on the day the squad list was announced, he called Regragui but did not receive a response. He felt that a simple explanation from Regragui would have helped him accept the decision. Belhanda emphasized that he was not a young player, being 32 years old at the time, and would have understood the coach's choices. The lack of response from Regragui made it difficult for him to move on from the disappointment.
The midfielder's disappointment led him to lose interest in Morocco's national team. He only resumed following the team after Regragui's departure. Belhanda also revealed that he did not watch Morocco's matches during the 2022 World Cup, showing his disinterest in the team's performance. This was a significant change for a player who had been a key figure in the Atlas Lions' midfield for nearly a decade.
Belhanda earned 59 caps and scored five goals for Morocco between 2010 and 2022, after switching allegiance from France. He made his international debut against Northern Ireland in November 2010. Under coach Herve Renard, Belhanda had a notable stint with nine appearances for Morocco in 2018. He also represented the Atlas Lions at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, starting all three group-stage matches.
At club level, Belhanda enjoyed successful spells with Montpellier, Dynamo Kyiv, and Galatasaray, winning domestic league titles with each team. His final international appearance came in a friendly against Chile in September 2022. Belhanda's international career was marked by his creativity and impact in the midfield for Morocco.
Belhanda's comments highlight the emotional impact of being snubbed for the World Cup and the importance of communication between players and coaches. His experience serves as a reminder of the human side of football and the relationships that exist within the sport. The incident has left a lasting mark on Belhanda's football career and personal life.
Key points
- Younes Belhanda found the silence from coach Walid Regragui more painful than the decision to exclude him from the 2022 FIFA World Cup squad.
- Belhanda had hoped to feature in the 2022 World Cup before retiring from international football.
- The lack of communication from Regragui affected Belhanda's interest in Morocco's national team.
