Sofiane Boufal (September 17, 1993, Paris, France) is one of the most talented players who has forged the moroccan football along its history. He shone in the Premier, he went through La Liga and, after several years in which he did not finish finding his best level, he returned to Angerswhich it was his house before becoming known as a juggler with the ball. Top dribbler in Ligue 1, above Neymar or Messi, the Moroccan attends Diario AS prior to face a Spainthat country that he knows well from his time in La Liga, in the round of 16 of the World Cup.
I want to start by talking about his season in Angers. It is it’s true that they are colistasbut you are one of the most unbalanced players in the championship and there is Ounahi, your teammate in the national team who is playing quite well.
The season at Angers is being difficult. We have started very badly. We are the last of the classification and we have failed in many things. We are going to try after the World Cup to correct all the mistakes we had at the start of the season. Regarding Ounahi (a starter with Morocco and a player for Angers), he is a very close brotherly relationship. He is a great player, with great potential and who has a great future.
You went through Spanish football. How do you see the level of the League and the Spanish team?
Regarding Spanish football, it is a championship in which I developed and I hope to play there again one day. I think that it is the championship and the football that best corresponds to my quality. It’s always a pleasure to watch the games there. It is a football that I love. Regarding the national team, they are a high-quality team, huh? They are a high-quality team, with experienced players and incredible players. It is a great collective.
What would it mean for Morocco to beat Spain and reach the quarterfinals?
For us it would mean a lot to win against Spain and be able to go to the quarterfinals. It would be the best result achieved in the history of the World Cups by an African team (it never reached the semifinals). It would mean we’re going our way. We showed in the group stage, in which we exploited our abilities to the maximum in a difficult group, that we have no limits.
Why hasn’t a player of such quality like you, who dribbles like no one else in France (the top dribbler) been able to explode in a better team?
A player’s career is measured in his decisions and right now the best one I made was to go to Angers. I think I made the best decisions in my career, allowing me to develop my diet, my physique, I also have a staff behind me… I also have a video analyst and an agent who have helped me. I have gained in maturity. I think that this experience that I have now will help me in the future of my career. That is going to help me develop my best version, which, however, is not being seen right now.
You have the ability to decide a match at any time. Against Spain it could happen. Think that?
Good thank you. But, currently, what makes me truly a good player is being more complete than having talent. Yes, I have quality, but I also know how to adapt to the team, defend, help tactically… What I currently like is being a player who can contribute to the team.
after staying group leaders with Belgium and CroatiaDo you see yourself with options to win against Spain?
Those parties are already part of the past. We now move on to a round in which the matches are direct elimination. It is a new competition that begins. We must support each other and strengthen the things that we have done well in the group stage to defeat Spain. Show solidarity, be intense and defend well. We must not feel the pressure. We want Moroccans and their people to feel proud of our party.
