Van der Vaart: "Except for Ziyech... All Moroccans Who Don't Perform Well Here Will Play for Morocco"
T.E (Elbotola)
29 March 2026at22:35
Former Dutch football star Rafael van der Vaart commented on the decision of Ryan Bounida and other players to choose Morocco over the Netherlands, suggesting that their inability to secure a place in the "Oranje" squad was the reason behind their choices.
Speaking on the Dutch channel "NOS", Van der Vaart stated: "I don't want to be harsh, but all Moroccans who don't perform well here will play for the Morocco national team."
He continued: "Only Ziyech was someone I wished had been with us back then."
He concluded by saying: "If you reach the World Cup semi-finals and want to win the tournament, as we do in the Netherlands, then there's no need to worry about Morocco."
Q&A
What did Rafael van der Vaart say about players choosing Morocco over the Netherlands?
Rafael van der Vaart commented that many Moroccan-Dutch players choose Morocco because they cannot secure a spot in the Dutch national team. He suggested that only one specific player was an exception he wished had played for the Netherlands.
How does Van der Vaart view the Netherlands' national team prospects regarding Moroccan players?
Van der Vaart believes the Netherlands should not be concerned about players choosing Morocco if their ambition is to win the World Cup. He implied that the Dutch focus should remain on their own high standards and achieving top tournament success.
What implications do Van der Vaart's comments have for the future of Dutch football?
Van der Vaart's comments suggest a focus on maintaining high standards for the Dutch national team, implying that players who don't meet those benchmarks will naturally seek opportunities elsewhere. This perspective prioritizes the Netherlands' World Cup aspirations above all.
