The Amazigh people, have a rich cultural heritage that extends to the world of football. Despite being the native people of North Africa, many Amazigh footballers have often been claimed as Arabs due to their national team representation.
There are several reasons why many football players of Amazigh origin are often claimed as Arabs. One of the main reasons is the lack of political recognition for the Amazigh people in certain North African countries. Many Amazigh people in countries such as Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia have historically been marginalized and their identity suppressed by the dominant Arab culture. As a result, many Amazigh people may choose to identify as Arab in order to avoid discrimination and to access opportunities that may not be available to them otherwise.
Another reason is that many Amazigh people may not have the opportunity to play for a national team representing their Amazigh heritage, as there is no official Amazigh national team. In this case, they may choose to play for the national team of the country in which they live, which is often associated with the Arab identity.
Additionally, in the media and sports industry, the term “Arab” is often used as a catch-all term to refer to people from North Africa and the Middle East, regardless of their ethnic background. This can contribute to the confusion and the tendency to identify Amazigh players as Arab. Overall, the reasons behind this phenomenon are complex and multi-layered, rooted in the political and social history of the region.
Here are some of the most well-known footballers of Amazigh origin who have been often claimed as Arab:
Zinedine Zidane: Born in Marseille, France, to Algerian parents, Zidane is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time. He won numerous individual awards throughout his career, including the FIFA World Player of the Year three times, and led France to victory in the 1998 World Cup. Despite his success on the international stage, Zidane has always maintained his connection to his Amazigh heritage. He is proud of his Amazigh background, and is often seen as a symbol of integration and success for French people of North African descent.
Mustapha Hadji: Born on October 23, 1971, a Moroccan football player of Amazigh origin from the Middle Atlas region. who played for clubs such as Deportivo La Coruna and Aston Villa, and for the Moroccan national team. He was known for his excellent technique and vision on the pitch, and was a key member of the Moroccan team that reached the round of 16 at the 1998 World Cup. Throughout his career, Hadji was considered one of the best midfielders in the world, and is considered a legend in Moroccan football. Despite his success, he has always maintained his connection to his Amazigh heritage, and is a known advocate for the Amazigh culture.
Wissam Ben Yedder is a French professional footballer of Amazigh origin from Tunisia. He plays as a forward for French club Monaco and the French national team. He has also played for Toulouse and Sevilla. He is known for his speed, finishing, and ability to score goals. Ben Yedder has represented France at various youth levels before making his senior debut in 2018.
Nordin Amrabat is a professional football player of Amazigh origin from the Rif. He was born on January 2, 1989 in Utrecht, Netherlands, to Moroccan Amazigh parents. He began his professional career as a winger for Dutch club Feyenoord Rotterdam. He then played for various clubs such as PSV Eindhoven, Galatasaray, Watford FC, and currently he is playing for AEK Athens. Amrabat has always been connected to his Amazigh heritage and has spoken about it in interviews, expressing his pride in his roots and the importance of preserving the Amazigh culture. Despite his success on the international stage, he has remained a humble and down-to-earth person, always staying connected to his roots.
Karim Benzema is a professional football player of Amazigh origin. He was born on December 19, 1987 in Lyon, France, to Algerian Amazigh parents from Kabylie. He began his professional career as a striker for French club Olympique Lyon. He then moved on to play for Real Madrid, where he became one of the most successful and prominent players in the team’s history, winning numerous accolades and titles over the years.
Samir Nasri is a French professional footballer of Amazigh origin with both parent from Tunisia. He is a midfielder who has played for clubs such as Arsenal, Manchester City, and Sevilla. He is known for his technique, vision, and passing ability. He has also played for the French national team and won the World Cup in 2018.
Hakim Ziyech is a professional soccer player from Morocco. He is of Amazigh origin from eastern part of the Rif. He’s currently playing as an attacking midfielder for Chelsea Football Club and the Morocco national team. He is known for his technical skills and ability to score goals. The Atlas Lions winger reportedly donated all of his 2022 World Cup bonus earnings to the poor in his country following a historical run to the semifinals before falling to France 2-0.
Yacine Brahimi, also known as Yacine Nasreddine Brahimi, is a professional soccer player from Algeria. He is of Amazigh origin with both of his parents from Kabylie . Brahimi is known for his technical skills, speed and ability on the ball. He played for Porto since 2014 and has won several league titles, as well as the Europa League in 2011. He also played for Rennes in France and Granada in Spain. He is currently playing for Al-Rayyan in Qatar.
Ibrahim Afellay is a Dutch professional footballer of Amazigh descent from the Rif area. He played midfielder for PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie. He has also played for clubs such as Barcelona and Schalke 04, and has earned over 50 caps for the Netherlands national team.
Youssef El-Arabi is a Moroccan professional footballer of Amazigh origin from southern Morocco. He is a forward who has played for clubs such as Olympiacos, Granada and Al-Duhail. He is known for his finishing and goal-scoring ability. He has also played for the Moroccan national team and scored several goals for them. He is currently playing for Olympiacos in Greece.
Munir El Haddadi is a professional footballer from Spain who plays as a forward for La Liga club Sevilla and the Morocco national team. He is of Amazigh heritage from the Rif area. The Rif region is northern Morocco is known for its strong Amazigh resistance for dignity and cultural identity. The Amazigh people have a rich history in North Africa and their culture has had a significant influence on the region. Munir El Haddadi is seen as a role model for the community.
These players, along with many others, have left a lasting impact on the world of football and continue to inspire future generations. Their contributions to society, culture, and politics should be celebrated and remembered.
