El Teknaouti: "I Didn't Play in the 2022 World Cup, Which is Normal as I Was the Third-Choice Goalkeeper... But I Remain Motivated All the Time"

Reda Tagnaouti, the Moroccan national team goalkeeper, discussed his method for maintaining motivation and self-encouragement during the World Cup, despite being the third-choice goalkeeper for the "Atlas Lions."

Recalling memories from the 2022 World Cup, Tagnaouti stated in an interview with FIFA's official website: "From the very first day we arrived in Qatar, we felt something special. Usually, when you live together in semi-isolation for almost a month and a half, there are sometimes days of tension with friends during training, but we never experienced that. We were an exceptional group, and we were with our families, and so on. That's why we achieved all those accomplishments."

He continued: "There are players who won't participate: I didn't play (in the 2022 edition), and that's normal, as I am the third-choice goalkeeper. But you remain motivated all the time because you tell yourself that if Bounou gets injured – and we hope that doesn't happen! – and if, for example, goalkeeper El Mohammedi receives a card, then you have to be focused."

He concluded: "Therefore, you give your best every day, and when you train well, and when you are professional with the group, you see the result right before your eyes! We are part of a cohesive group."