Noussair Mazraoui will say goodbye as an Ajax player on Sunday afternoon. The defender, who completed the entire youth academy in Amsterdam, will transfer to Bayern Munich after this season. In an extensive interview in Football International Mazraoui looks back on his career. Precisely against his new employer, the wing defender experienced ‘the best moment of his career’ in his own words.
Mazraoui joined Ajax’s youth academy in 2006. Now, sixteen years later, he leaves Amsterdam for an adventure with the German record champion. “Everyone grants me this step, because they know my story and know where I come from,” said Mazraoui. “I had to force it all myself and I did it in a way that suits me. Working hard and being myself. It is now time for something different, for the adventure, and that will take some getting used to. For seventeen years I drove from Alphen aan den Rijn to Ajax. That will end now, but the memories I cherish and are forever. I will miss the club, the people and the supporters.”
On Sunday afternoon, Mazraoui pulls the Ajax shirt over his head for the last time in the away match against Vitesse. Reflecting on his career, one moment stands out for the right-back: his goal against Bayern Munich (1-1) in the group stage of the Champions League in 2018. “Everyone was a bit nervous, because the great Bayern was not just something. That game was an important moment for Ajax’s self-awareness. We played a great game there, ending in a 1-1 draw, but the way we were able to play our own game was impressive,” Mazraoui recalled.
That season Ajax finished second in the group behind Bayern and eventually reached the semi-finals. Mazraoui will never forget the duel in the Allianz Arena. “In the first half I went forward and scored. The fact that I scored as an unknown youngster provided a certain liberation for the rest. I felt that. That goal is my best moment in my career at Ajax”, the defender said. firmly. “It was my breakthrough for the big world. I already had a lot of faith in it myself, because I felt I was doing well, but scoring in the Champions League against Bayern made a lot of sense. And also with my own weapons. Steaming along and being important offensively as a back.”
Mazraoui looks back with satisfaction on his time at Ajax. If all folds have been ironed out, he will most likely soon sign a multi-year contract with the brand new national champion of Germany. “I’ve been through everything here, highs and lows. I came into the first team as an unknown player, made a name for myself and leave as a valued player. It’s a shame I can’t leave the club with a transfer fee, but the value is there in the football that I have shown here. I always felt the click with the supporters, the appreciation, I am grateful to them for that.”