Hassan II Morocco Transfer Decision Benfica El Hadrioui
Former AS FAR player and Moroccan international Abdelkrim El Hadrioui recounted a pivotal episode in his career: his transfer to Europe, which was ultimately directed by the late Hassan II himself.
Before joining Benfica in 1996, Abdelkrim El Hadrioui claims to have been approached by several European clubs. The Moroccan left-back mentions notably contacts with Barcelona as early as 1992, during Johan Cruyff’s era, then with Feyenoord after the 1994 World Cup. But his departure abroad was complicated by the context of the time, particularly his status as an AS FAR player. "We were forbidden to have someone like a manager," he explains to Al3omk.
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The real turning point came in 1996. Three clubs then came forward: Sporting Lisbon, Benfica and Chelsea. It was at this moment that Hassan II intervened. "His Majesty, may God rest his soul, Hassan II, it was he who chose the Benfica team for me," confides Abdelkrim El Hadrioui. When pressed by the journalist, the former international confirms: "It’s Benfica."
For him, the royal decision left no room for discussion. "You have nothing to say, that’s all. He told you that you had to go there, that’s all," he recounts. The choice of Benfica is also explained by the Portuguese ties of AS FAR at the time, notably the presence of coach Mário Wilson.
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Abdelkrim El Hadrioui also describes Hassan II as a king very attentive to Moroccan football. "He followed everything, even in the national team," he affirms, adding that the sovereign would call players before certain matches to encourage them. A particular bond also existed with AS FAR, a club founded by Hassan II and considered his team.
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