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Morocco players hold up heart attack victim Nouri's shirt after World Cup win

talksport.com, 7 December 2022, 13:01
Morocco players dedicated their World Cup last-16 victory over Spain to former Ajax star Abdelhak Nouri.

Tuesday night marked an incredible night for Morocco in Qatar, as they beat 2010 world champions on penalties to seal a place in the quarter-finals at the World Cup for the first time in their history.

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But after their stunning victory, the Atlas Lions made sure to dedicate their win to Nouri.

The former Netherlands youth star - who is of Moroccan descent - suffered a cardiac arrest in 2017 whilst playing a friendly for his boyhood club Ajax.

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After celebrating on the pitch, the Morocco players and staff then gathered in the changing room and held up the shirt with Nouri's name on and his former Ajax squad number.

Despite the Amsterdam-born star opting to play for the Netherlands at youth level over Morocco, Nouri's family were from the North African country.

The youngster had been tipped to be one of football's future stars when he burst on the scene with Ajax, playing for their senior team for two seasons between 2015 and 2017.

However, Nouri then suffered a cardiac arrest in a pre-season friendly, which left him with severe and permanent brain damage, ending his football career.

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Tributes poured out for the stay, with Ajax retiring the No.34 jersey worn by him in his final season.

They also announced the agreement with Nouri's family included a payment of £6.5million and that the club would cover all his medical bills.

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A number of Nouri's former teammates have taken his No.34 as their respective clubs too, including Donny van der Beek at Manchester United and Justin Kluivert during his time with AS Roma.

Meanwhile his friend from international tournaments, France and Barcelona star Ousmane Dembélé, wore the number on his boots.

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