Moroccan international Naif Akord, defender for Olympique Marseille in France, expressed his great pride in his training at the Mohammed VI Football Academy, confirming that it was the "real foundation" in the development of his technical level, especially in dealing with aerial balls, which made him one of the most prominent defenders in Africa and Europe.

During the press conference preceding Marseille's match against Le Havre in the French league, Akord said: "At the academy, coach Nasser Larguet focused a lot on developing my skills in heading, benefiting from my height in set pieces. We worked on this aspect daily, which helped me a lot in my professional journey, more than any later stage."

The Moroccan defender also praised his teammate in the national team, Youssef En-Nesyri: "En-Nesyri is another example of what the academy can produce in terms of talent. His development was not a coincidence, but the result of his constant effort, especially in aerial balls where he excels today."

Regarding the atmosphere within the Moroccan national team, Akord confirmed that "team spirit and discipline" are the secrets to the success of the current generation, explaining: "We are living a wonderful period in the history of the national team, and achieving 16 consecutive wins is not easy. These results are the fruit of harmony and fighting spirit among the players."

He also emphasized that his continuous participation with the "Atlas Lions" does not affect his level at Marseille, saying: "I travel short distances between Morocco and France, which makes it easy for me to regain my fitness quickly after international breaks. Commitment to professional work and coordination with the club's technical staff are the keys to maintaining readiness."

Akord concluded his remarks by looking forward to the upcoming Africa Cup in Morocco, considering that playing on home soil provides a special motivation: "We know that the pressure will be high, but it is positive. Playing in front of our fans gives us extra energy, and our goal is to keep the cup within Morocco."