Igor Belanov, an iconic figure in 20th-century world football, is widely recognized for winning the Ballon d’Or in 1986, and he pays a heartfelt tribute to the Moroccan national team!
Belanov highlights Morocco’s achievement and challenges the notion that the UEFA European Championship is more competitive than the FIFA World Cup. He explains that the World Cup attracts the best teams from all continents, making it difficult to argue that these teams are less competitive than those from Europe.
He points to the Moroccan team, often underestimated, yet they defeated renowned European teams such as Portugal, Spain, and Belgium, even reaching the World Cup semi-finals. He also mentions the current powerhouse, Argentina, which has claimed this prestigious tournament.
Reflecting on his memories of Euro 1988, Belanov recalls the final where he missed a crucial penalty. Deployed for the first time as a right midfielder by coach Lobanovsky, he admits discomfort in this position, as he was accustomed to playing further forward. He acknowledges his fatigue at the penalty moment and reminds that even legends like Pelé, Maradona, and Platini faced similar setbacks.
Despite this personal disappointment, Belanov emphasizes that prior to this incident, he had converted 17 consecutive penalties, highlighting his commitment and determination. He concludes by looking towards the future, optimistic about the upcoming Euro, a tournament filled with captivating stories, victories, and successes. He expresses his support for his national team, hoping that fans will witness the sportsmanship and exceptional talent of the country’s top players.
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