In an exclusive interview with Footmercato on Monday, the captain of the Moroccan national team, Romain Saïss, justified his decision to join Al Sadd in Qatar. He also discussed the possible implications this choice could have on his international career.
Romain Saïss is leaving the Turkish club Besiktas after just one season and joining Al-Sadd in Qatar. The Qatari club officially announced the news on Monday via a message on their social media. After the confirmation of his transfer, the Moroccan international granted an exclusive interview to Footmercato, in which he explained his choice.
“It’s a well-considered decision. I weighed the pros and cons. Today, I wanted to give a new direction to my career in consultation with my family. It’s the best possible solution. I already know what people will say, that I’m coming for pre-retirement. That’s not the case at all. I still have the ambition to play in AFCON and the World Cup in 2026. I’ll be 36 years old.
I’ve always made choices related to my national team. I am the most capped player in the team, I am the captain. I know what I have to do and I don’t need anyone to tell me what I should do to remain competitive. Let’s not lie to ourselves, Qatar is not the Premier League. But I’m 33 years old, I know myself well enough, and I know what I need to do for my well-being and that of the national team. That’s my priority,” he reassures.
When asked about the changes this choice might bring to his path with the national team, he responds bluntly: “It changes nothing. I know what I have to do to stay competitive. I consider myself a good professional. I know my body very well. I don’t ask for any special treatment from the coach. I want to arrive there being the same player. When I signed for Besiktas, the same thing was said about me. They asked why I didn’t wait to join England. I think with the World Cup and the matches I played after, I answered.
When you play for your country, it’s what’s in your heart that drives you. When you look at the history of teams that recently won the AFCON, how many had players in minor leagues? Zambia won in 2012 with Hervé Renard, and I don’t think they had 24 players in the Premier League or something. It’s a false problem. Everyone would have dreamed of having a career playing for Bayern Munich or City. We will do as we always have, we will work to show them that there’s nothing to worry about.”
