Nordin Amrabat and Johan Derksen performed on Monday in the second part of The the Dutch Summer a discussion about the international career of Dutch-Moroccan players. Amrabat explained that his choice for Morocco was forced, because he was not in the picture with the Netherlands. Derksen understands this, but believes that Dutch-Moroccan players should in principle opt for the Dutch.
Amrabat was generally asked about the situation. “It is an individual choice. Behind every choice is a different story,” said the 34-year-old attacker, who recently left the Saudi Arabian Al-Nassr on a free transfer. “You can’t generalize, but the fact is that the choice is getting harder and harder. Morocco is getting better and better and they are there early. They invite players and their families to attend a match. My brother (Sofyan, ed. .) was slightly hesitant and was invited to a match in the World Cup qualifiers. He said to me: ‘I had goosebumps the whole game. I just have to choose this.'”
“It is only two or three players who can really choose between Morocco and the Netherlands,” emphasized Amrabat. “There is often no choice, usually it is Morocco, if you are not asked for the Netherlands… My brother and Noussair Mazraoui did have that choice and chose Morocco, while Anwar El Ghazi and Mohamed Ihattaren chose the Netherlands. Hakim Ziyech chose first also for the Netherlands, until Danny Blind ignored him. What I say: everyone has a different story.”
Derksen then made his point about Moroccan-Dutch players in general. “You have been welcomed as guests in this country, more or less adopted,” says Derksen. “Your parents came here because they could have a better life here than in Morocco. You were born here, you received your education here and benefited from all the social security benefits of this country. Everything you have built up here has contributed to this country. Then I think it is a bit of a stench for thanks if you choose Morocco, because Morocco has never done anything for you.”
Amrabat partly agreed. “I don’t think you have a moral obligation, but you do have a point when you say that we have benefited from all the facilities, from the training and everything,” counters Amrabat. “Of course we are grateful that my grandfather was welcomed here fifty years ago, could work here and build a future. But for me personally: I never made that choice. In 2013, I played at Kayserispor and my competitors were at the Dutch Arjen Robben and you name them. I didn’t have that choice.”
“I agree with you that Morocco does that better, they pamper the players better than the Netherlands,” Derksen responded. “We actually chased Ziyech out of the country. But I think on principle that a boy who was born and raised here has a moral obligation to choose the Netherlands, if he has the chance. But that is a personal opinion.”
Ihattaren was also discussed. The nineteen-year-old attacking midfielder from PSV has opted for the Netherlands, but did not play for the the Dutch, partly due to injuries. “That boy was eighteen and they say your brain isn’t fully developed yet,” Amrabat said of Ihattaren. “He may think differently in two years. But at that time he chose the Netherlands, and that is his right. It is a good talent. I support him and hope he has a wonderful career with the Dutch national team so we can all cheer for him.”