Footballer Sofiane Boufal has told British media that there will be “no pressure” on Morocco when his nation head to Russia for the 2018 World Cup.
Morocco qualified for the tournament in 2017, marking their return to football’s largest competition for the first time since 1998.
Boufal, who plays on the wing for English Premier League side Southampton, said that he is “so happy and proud to be in this team”.
“The most important thing now is to have a good World Cup. We have nothing to lose. We need to play without pressure and hope to do well,” he added.
Alongside this, Boufal hinted at the added pressure to perform well for his club that the World Cup brings.
“I want to have a good season and help my club to be in a better position and to also have a good season to be part of the World Cup team,” said Boufal.
The 24-year-old has scored twice in 18 appearances this season for Southampton in what has been a difficult first season.
Boufal joined Southampton, for a then club-record fee of £16 million, from French side Lille in the summer of 2016 but he arrived with a knee injury and only made his debut in October 2016, British media reported.
As a result of these injuries, he also missed out on the last Africa Cup of Nations but is now back to full fitness and wants to help both club and country to perform well.
“I passed the difficult moment and all is behind me now. I want to see the future now that I am feeling good,” he added.
“I feel fit and I hope to continue to progress but the most important thing is the team.”
Morocco faces Iran, Portugal and Spain in a difficult World Cup group.
Their first game is against Iran in St Petersburg on June 15.
