Morocco midfielder’s father reveals son’s Barcelona dream: ‘He’d be the happiest person in the world’

Morocco midfielder’s father reveals son’s Barcelona dream: ‘He’d be the happiest person in the world’ Neil El Aynaoui may currently be focused on Morocco and AS Roma, but his father has revealed a strong personal connection between the midfielder and Barcelona. The talented midfielder, who was briefly linked with the Blaugrana earlier this year , is currently on show at the World Cup for the AFCON champions and has formed an admirable partnership with Ayyoub Bouaddi. As quoted by Actualite Barça , Younes El Aynaoui, father of the Moroccan international, said his son grew up as a Barcelona supporter and would love the chance to play for the club one day. Speaking about Neil, he said: “My son, he’s a Barca fan. He lived there from 0 to 11 years old. He’d be the happiest person in the world if he ever plays there one day.” That is the kind of quote that naturally catches the attention of Barcelona supporters. It does not indicate a transfer operation, but it shows the emotional pull of the club. El Aynaoui dreams of Barcelona, claims his father. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) A midfielder with emotional roots El Aynaoui’s story is interesting because the connection is not artificial. Living in Barcelona from birth until the age of 11 means the club was likely part of his childhood environment, not just a distant preference. Players who understand the club’s meaning can sometimes adapt more naturally to the expectations around it. They know it is not only about winning, but about style, responsibility and handling pressure. That said, admiration alone cannot drive recruitment. Barcelona have to judge every midfielder through the sporting lens: profile, cost, role, physical level and tactical fit under Hansi Flick. El Aynaoui is currently building his name elsewhere, and any future interest would need to be based on performance, not sentiment. Impressing at the World Cup for Morocco. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) A name to remember El Aynaoui would clearly be open to the idea of playing for Barça someday, but there is no indication here that talks are happening or that a move is close. Still, the profile could be interesting. The club need midfielders who combine quality with intensity, and Flick’s project is pushing towards more power, pressing and competitive edge. If El Aynaoui continues to grow at club and international level, his Barcelona background could become an interesting detail in the future. For now, the quote is mainly a reminder of Barcelona’s reach. Even players developing away from Catalonia can carry the club with them. If El Aynaoui ever does become a real target, Barça fans already know what to expect from a childhood fan, and his adaptation here could be much easier. It remains to be seen how things play out in the future.