«Yes, for me, it will now be the Moroccan team. Morocco has always supported me», Mohamed Ihattaren told the Dutch outlet SportNieuwsNL this weekend, officially announcing his decision to represent the Atlas Lions. At 23, the former Dutch football prodigy, born in Utrecht to Moroccan parents, has made his long-awaited choice after years of hesitation. Spotted early on at PSV Eindhoven, Ihattaren initially committed to the Netherlands at the height of his early success. Though he was called up multiple times by the Oranje, he never made an appearance on the pitch. His rise was suddenly derailed by personal challenges, most notably the death of his father, and later by legal issues, pushing him out of the spotlight. After nearly three years away from professional play, the Dutch-Moroccan found his way back onto the field with RKC Waalwijk, where he notched four goals and five assists in the Eredivisie. In the midst of this comeback, he now declares his intent to join the Moroccan national team, a decision he describes as «natural», emphasizing that support from the Moroccan federation never wavered. Approached as early as 2019 by the Moroccan Football Federation, Ihattaren had declined the offer back then. Whether coach Walid Regragui will welcome him into the current squad remains to be seen. As for his club future, uncertainty still lingers. Ihattaren says he's open to all opportunities, particularly in Belgium or the Netherlands: «The Netherlands would be great, but Belgium isn't far from where I am now. You never know how things might unfold in football. There needs to be interest, and an agreement with my agent. Until then, I'll see what happens. I believe every step forward is the right one for me».
