The sporting director of Olympique Marseille, and former Moroccan international Mehdi Benatia, praised the impressive performance of defender Nayef Aguerd following the resounding victory over Ajax Amsterdam with a score of 4-0 in the UEFA Champions League, confirming that the Moroccan international has become a fundamental pillar in the team's defense.

Benatia revealed in media statements that the signing of Aguerd was not a coincidence, saying: "We discussed his file during our time in the United States, and when the coach saw his potential, he decided to halt all other negotiations and insisted on bringing him to Marseille. After lengthy negotiations, we succeeded in finalizing the deal."

He added: "Aguerd provides a clear added value thanks to his international experience and calmness on the field. His precise passes, excellent reading of games, and decisive interventions make the defense more solid and reassuring."

Benatia also touched on the personal side of his former teammate in the Moroccan national team, confirming that his integration was swift within the locker room thanks to his proficiency in French, English, and Spanish, which facilitated his acclimatization with the group.

He concluded by saying: "I am proud of what Nayef is doing. I have known him since his early days with the Moroccan national team, and today he has proven that he is not only a distinguished defender but also a true leader that any team needs."