Hakimi, baby Larguet

Brahim Diaz, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Lamine Yamal… so many talented players who have monopolized the debate and passions around the theme of dual nationals. If the first two chose to wear the colors of Morocco to the detriment of Spain and France, the third opted for Spain. “I am proud that a very high-level player like Brahim Diaz chooses to wear the colors of the Atlas Lions not by default but by desire,” says Nasser Larguet. “Nevertheless, I have always respected players who do not make this choice. Their decision must be motivated by two levels of reflection: the heart and reason. The heart is of course the origins, the family ties. The reason is the sporting choice, the career ambition. For a choice to be the best possible, both aspects are needed: the heart and the reason. Naturally, since the World Cup in Qatar, the selection makes people want to. And the choice of reason is at least as strong as that of the heart. »

Nasser Larguet has been trying to solve the dual national equation since he took over the Mohammed VI Academy in 2008. It could even be said that he played a decisive role in Achraf Hakimi's career choice. Without Nasser Larguet, the PSG right-back might never have worn the Atlas Lions jersey. The National Technical Director used his intelligence and humanism to win over the parents and the young player while Spain was eyeing the prodigy. It should be noted that Larguet has real experience in the dual national file: he also convinced Sofyan Amrabat, Mazraoui, Boufal and Harit to defend the colors of Morocco. "We only lost Ismaël Bennacer," says Nasser Larguet. "I had invited him with his parents to the Amphitrite Palace in Skhirat. He chose Algeria. It’s a disappointment. He could have played in two World Cups with Morocco…”

The dual-nationality players’ file has always been essential for Larguet. He has the instructions and the power of seduction. “My first mission as DTN was to detect 24 17-year-old players trained in Morocco and 14 other dual-nationality players,” he explains. “We then organized a training course in Ploufragan in Brittany and a tournament with the teams of Caen, Rennes, Lorient and Gabon. We won all our matches, with our two teams. And the best Moroccan player in the tournament was dual-national. He had been spotted by Rabie Takassa, one of our recruiters in Europe. His name was Achraf Hakimi.”

Born in Madrid to parents of Moroccan origin, Achraf Hakimi had the choice between the Moroccan and Spanish selections. "My first action was a visit to Achraf's club, in this case Real Madrid," Nasser said. "It is essential to maintain healthy relations with the clubs. It is important to reassure them about the international match schedule and assure them that, in the event of a crucial match at club level, they would not be obliged to release the player. It is imperative to avoid conflicts with the clubs. Dual nationals breathe Europe. They eat Europe. They think Europe. They are trained by Europeans. They are paid by Europeans. We must respect the clubs. Because the player is first and foremost an athlete employed by a club. The ambition is for the player to be as serene as possible." It was in this peaceful climate that Hachraf Hakimi's adventure with the Royal Moroccan Federation began. However, the story could have ended abruptly. “For over a month, I had no telephone contact with Achraf’s father, even though we were in constant contact,” Nasser recalls. “I was even more worried when I learned that Hakimi’s name had been checked off a Spanish list. I finally managed to speak to the player. He was very upset. I advised him to go to the Spanish gathering and compare. And I promised to come and see him after his training camp.”

So, on the road to Lyon for a major meeting with Hervé Renard, an absolute priority in the succession of Badou Zaki, Nasser Larguet made a detour to Madrid. In the Spanish capital, he is expected by the player, his father and two Spanish agents. The situation is serious. "I felt that this interview would be decisive" confides Nasser "Achraf immediately expressed his fears to me. If he chose Morocco, he was afraid that his contract with Real would not be renewed and at the same time to lose the partnership with Adidas promised to each player. I questioned him about his ambitions. I alerted him to the strong competition in Spain for his position with the presence of Carvajal, Alba, Llorente, Reguilon, Wass, Roberto and many others. Conversely, I made him aware of the weakness of the Moroccan reservoir. Behind Nabil Dirar, who was thirty years old, there were places to be taken. I couldn’t predict the future but I convinced him that he might play an African Cup of Nations and a World Cup with Morocco before places became available in Spain.”

Nasser Larguet gave the Hakimi family and their agents time to think about it. He only asked for a response before leaving for Lyon. It was favorable. The young Achraf promised Nasser Larguet to wait for his first call-up with the Atlas Lions to definitively choose Morocco… “What a relief!” confided Nasser. “knew he was a gem. I held out my hand to him when we were about to part. I told him: ‘Achraf, a handshake is more important than a contract. So take my hand’…”

Hervé Renard would also hold out his hand to Nasser Larguet on the Hakimi issue. During their meeting in Lyon, Nasser asked for the help of the future national coach. "I will never ask you for anything again in my life, but I will ask you for one thing," Larguet tells Renard. "During your first gathering, please select a kid named Achraf Hakimi. Hervé Renard listened to me. Achraf was shy during the first training course and brilliant during the second!"

We know the rest...