Sofyan Amrabat’s decision to make himself unavailable for Morocco while Mohamed Ouahbi remains head coach has prompted a strong response from former international team-mate Mustapha Hadji.

More than a month after the Ajax Amsterdam midfielder said he would no longer represent the Atlas Lions under Ouahbi, Hadji criticised him in uncompromising terms during an interview with Kooora.

“Who do you think you are? You are not above the national team, the coach or the Moroccan flag,” said Hadji, who won the African Ballon d’Or in 1998.

He added: “You must come to the national team and play without protesting, even if you only play one minute, because it is an honour for you.”

Hadji also rejected the idea that any player should be able to make their international future dependent on the departure of a manager.

“You represent your country, not the coach,” he said. “You must not demand his replacement, whether it is Ouahbi, Regragui or anyone else.”

Hadji’s brother, Youssouf, is an assistant to Ouahbi, meaning he is likely to have close knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the dispute.

Amrabat announced at the start of September that he would no longer answer Morocco’s calls while Ouahbi was in charge. However, he did not announce his retirement from international football.

The midfielder’s position within the squad had changed significantly after he was sidelined at the 2026 World Cup, with the young Ayyoub Bouaddi preferred to him.

Ouahbi subsequently said that Amrabat’s service to the national team deserved respect, but did not guarantee him any special privileges. Amrabat later challenged that interpretation, insisting his decision was not simply a reaction to frustration over his playing time.

The disagreement has already disappointed many Morocco supporters, who viewed Amrabat’s choice as an ego-driven response that was difficult to reconcile with the demands of the collective.

Hadji’s comments underline his own view that no individual player, regardless of their importance, can place themselves above the Atlas Lions.

“Whoever you are, you come and keep quiet,” was the message behind the former Morocco star’s criticism, as he defended the authority of both the national team and its head coach.