The most loved and practiced sport on the planet, football makes the heart of the king of Morocco beat faster. Fan of a fight, Mohammed VI not only likes to follow but also makes a point of making his contribution, whether investing millions in a project in the country, or directly interfering in the logistics and direction of the Club World Cup.
Investment of BRL 88 million in a center of excellence
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If today Morocco enjoys the success obtained in the World Cup in Qatar (the selection was placed 4th), it can be said that the king had its share.
The monarch built in 2010, in the Salé region, a center of excellence to ensure the development of football in Morocco. It bears his name: Mohammed VI Football Academy and cost BRL 88 million.
The project is focused on high performance to reveal young talents, unlike a small school dedicated to children’s recreation.
Teenagers between 13 and 18 years old need to pass through a sieve to join the Mohammed VI Football Academyto only then integrate a select group of 50 players who will have at their disposal all the most advanced in terms of training, technology and structure.
The project has already revealed players such as Youssef En-Nesyri, Nayef Aguerd and Azzedini Ounahi, who play in European football and were highlights at the World Cup in Qatar. In the World Cup, Real Madrid has used the facilities of the Mohammed VI Football Academy for training.
Ordered a change of starting and training venues for Fla in the World Cup
Even FIFA had to submit to the king. According to her, it was Mohammed VI who ordered the change of venues for the dispute for 3rd and 4th place between Flamengo and Al Hilal, transferring the duel from Rabat to Tangier, even in the face of protests from the fans present in Morocco.
And that wasn’t the only time that the monarch interfered in Fla’s logistics. As soon as the club arrived from Rio de Janeiro, he decided to change the team’s training location, moving from the CT at FUS Rabat to the local team’s stadium. The allegation was the issue of security.
O UOL consulted Flamengo, which confirmed that in both cases the king – through his advisors – suggested the changes.
He only supports the Moroccan national team
According to Moroccans, Mohammed VI does not support any team in the country. His passion is all concentrated in the national team.
After Morocco’s historic campaign at the World Cup in Qatar, he made a point of welcoming the players and bestowed the highest decorations.
They received “wissams”, honorary medals awarded by the king for distinguished services of a civil or military nature. The coach, Regragui, and the president of the Moroccan Football Federation, Faouzi Lekjaa, won the second-class decoration of the Order of the Throne. The players were presented with the third class.
king everywhere
Anyone traveling to Morocco can be sure of one thing: you will never forget that the country has a king. That’s because he’s literally everywhere.
Mohammed VI’s photos can be found in hotels and restaurants, even in handicraft shops in the medinas (popular market). There are even some themed ones, like the tent that sells football team shirts, where there’s a painting of the monarch wearing the Moroccan national team shirt.
Photographs of Mohammed are also in stadiums across the country. Tangier Stadium, for example, has a giant image of you on the main façade.
Rei is expected in the World Cup final
The king is waiting at the Moulay Abdalah stadium in Rabat to watch the Club World Cup final between Real Madrid and Al Hilal. So far he has yet to appear in any games.
In 2013, when Morocco also hosted the World Cup, Mohammed VI was present at the decision and a strong security scheme was set up, with the main avenues being closed for him to pass through.
The luxurious tribune where he sits at the Moulay Abdalah stadium is made of white marble with a huge waterfall, and the water runs down from the box almost to the pitch. There will also be the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, and the presidents of the clubs.
