Moroccan king honours football team, mothers after heroes' welcome home
Moroccan football players who made history at the World Cup were honoured along with their mothers by the country's sovereign on Tuesday.
2 min read
Thousands of Moroccans welcomed the team in the capital Rabat [Getty]
Morocco's football team and their mothers were honoured by the king of Morocco on Tuesday during a royal reception.
The Atlas Lions recently made history by becoming the first ever African and Arab team to reach the semi-finals at a FIFA World Cup tournament.
The team, who received a heroes' welcome upon their arrival in Rabat Tuesday evening by crowds of thousands, were hosted by King Mohammed VI, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and Prince Moulay Rachid.
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— Mohammed Taqi (@MohdTaqi11) December 21, 2022
ملك #المغرب #محمد_السادس و ولي العهد الأمين يمنح أعضاء المنتخب المغربي وسام العرش 🎖 درجة ضابط بحضور امهات اللاعبين بعد مشاركتهم التاريخية في #كأس_العالم pic.twitter.com/D2CGSuWLi9
Coach Walid Regragui and the Moroccan Federation of Football president Faouzi Lekjaa received a second-class Order of the Throne Award, rank Commander, according to Morocco World News (MWN).
Players, including goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, Ghanem Saiss, Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Sofyan Amrabat, and Nayef Aguerd, received a third-class Order of the Throne Award, ranked Officer, MWN added.
King Mohammed VI reportedly insisted that the mothers of the players be present at the reception.
The players’ mothers stole the spotlight throughout most of Morocco’s games, as the team embraced their families following each win that put them closer to the final stages of the World Cup.
Videos went viral of players kissing their mothers on the forehead and even dancing with them on the pitch.
Such moments captured the awe of millions who watched the games, reaffirming the importance of strong family bonds in Arab and Muslim societies, where mothers are held in high regard.
Although familiar to most Arab spectators, the celebration with their mothers was admired by fans of other nationalities who were not accustomed to seeing football players celebrate their wins in such a way.
After beating football giants such as Spain and Portugal, Morocco was sent out the World Cup after losing 2-0 to France. They came in fourth place at the Qatar tournament, behind Croatia.
Argentina emerged victorious against France in the final, winning its third World Cup title.
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