Rain or shine, Sofyan Amrabat used to often be found together with his brother Nordin on the same football field in Huizen. While Sofyan is seen as one of the big surprises at the World Cup in Qatar, we speak to Mahmoud el Boustati, childhood friend of the Amrabat brothers and now their agent: “He made his career here.”
Mahmoud’s hands remain deep in his pockets, so it is freezing cold. A type of weather that the Amrabat brothers, and also Mahmoud, used to not shy away from: “They couldn’t be beaten away here. Sofyan did have a really busy schedule in the youth of FC Utrecht, but if he could, he was here to play. playing football with older boys.”
The fact that Sofyan is now causing such a furor at the world championship is no longer a surprise to Mahmoud. “He also played great at Fiorentina and he continues that now.” According to his childhood friend, qualities that he certainly partly learned on that field in Huizen. “Sofyan always played here against guys who were older than him, so he always had to play with passion. He has done that in recent games at the World Cup.”
Curious about the old football field of Amrabat? Watch the video below. Text continues.
Small field in Houses of Sofyan Amrabat – NH News
Despite the fact that Mahmoud also has a business relationship with Amrabat, the friendly side now predominates. “I’m so proud, I see him as my little brother. I actually have no words for it. I believe in that boy.”
“If Sofyan plays with the same passion again, I wouldn’t be surprised if he performs top again”
Sofyan Amrabat will play with Morocco against Portugal in the quarterfinals of the World Cup this afternoon. The match starts at 4 p.m. and is already historic for the Moroccan national team before the first whistle: Morocco has never played a quarter-final at a World Cup before.
Mahmoud predicts a difficult game against the Portuguese, especially after the tough game against Spain that many players from Morocco will still have in their legs. Yet he also sees opportunities for Morocco, especially if Sofyan Amrabat plays so well again: “If Sofyan plays with the same passion as before here on the square, I wouldn’t be surprised if he performs top again.”