A Moroccan PSV player cheers and explains it

It will most likely not have escaped anyone’s notice that the Netherlands national team will play on Tuesday night at 3 a.m. Dutch time in Monterrey against Morocco for a place in the round of 16 of the World Cup in North America. Earlier, former Oranje international and former PSV player Ibrahim Afellay had indicated that he would be cheering for Morocco in this match.

This brought Afellay a lot of criticism from football fans on the social media platform X. Also Jack van Gelder had reservations about the choice of the former footballer who was still active for the Netherlands at the 2008 European Championship, the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship.

Unlike Afellay, former PSV player Adil Ramzi, under contract with PSV from 2000 to 2004 and youth coach from 2016 to 2023, will cheer for both the Netherlands and Morocco. Ramzi lets the Eindhovens Dagblad know in an interview.

''Morocco is in my heart, but that doesn’t mean I forget everything I’ve received and everyone I’ve met in the Netherlands,'' Ramzi says in an interview with the local newspaper. Ramzi still closely follows PSV’s performances, and therefore is also considered a Moroccan PSV fan.

Despite this, Ramzi has not forgotten his time in the Netherlands. ''Morocco has a special meaning for me because I was born and raised there. As a football fan, I am also incredibly proud of the performances that the national team delivers. At the same time, a large part of my life has by now taken place in the Netherlands,'' continues the former forward.

The former PSV player is in particular grateful to be able to develop in that country thanks to the facilities and the people. ''I'm incredibly grateful for that. I got opportunities here and the appreciation I have received for that is enormous. Then you can also be happy at a football match for the country you owe so much to, can’t you?'', the former international for Morocco continues.

The former PSV player will therefore be happy for the country that takes the win in the match Netherlands - Morocco. ''Currently, I'm working for the KNVB, so that also seems logical'', Ramzi said.