The
Career
Twenty years. Seven countries. Sixty-three caps for the Atlas Lions. Every stop on the journey of Morocco's maestro — from the streets of Ifrane to the roar of the Premier League and beyond.
Where it began. Five formative seasons sharpening the pace, dribbling and vision that would define him.
First cap against Zambia, 10 October 1993. He broke into the Atlas Lions squad and drove qualification for USA '94.
Three group-stage matches. Morocco exit on goal difference — agonising. But Hadji had announced himself to the world.
One season in Lisbon, one trophy. The Supertaça and a first taste of European football.
Two seasons in La Coruña. Sandwiching the summer that changed everything.
A stoppage-time winner against Egypt — decisive, legendary. Morocco reach the quarter-finals.
Sixty metres. One touch. One finish. The goal against Norway became legend. CAF African Footballer of the Year.
Signed by Gordon Strachan. Fans in fezzes. Joint top scorer. The chapter that made his name in Britain.
A frustrating group-stage exit for the reigning CAF Player of the Year. Morocco beat Congo but fall short.
John Gregory brought him to Villa Park after he scored against them. Three seasons, one Intertoto Cup.
Nine years of service. 63 caps. 12 goals. Retired from international duty in 2002.
A half-season return to Spain, in Barcelona, before the next chapter called.
To the Gulf. A league title. A third continent. The career map keeps expanding.
Eleven goals from midfield across two German seasons. The touch hadn't dimmed.
The final stop. Luxembourg. Three seasons. Retired at thirty-eight. Twenty years, seven countries, done.
Stop
1991 — 1996Where it began. Five formative seasons sharpening the pace, dribbling and vision that would define him.
1993 — 1994First cap against Zambia, 10 October 1993. He broke into the Atlas Lions squad and drove qualification for USA '94.
June — July 1994Three group-stage matches. Morocco exit on goal difference — agonising. But Hadji had announced himself to the world.
1996 — 1997One season in Lisbon, one trophy. The Supertaça and a first taste of European football.
1997 — 1999 · £4.11mTwo seasons in La Coruña. Sandwiching the summer that changed everything.
Jan — Feb 1998A stoppage-time winner against Egypt — decisive, legendary. Morocco reach the quarter-finals.
June — July 1998Sixty metres. One touch. One finish. The goal against Norway became legend. CAF African Footballer of the Year.
1999 — 2001 · £5.40mSigned by Gordon Strachan. Fans in fezzes. Joint top scorer. The chapter that made his name in Britain.
Jan — Feb 2000A frustrating group-stage exit for the reigning CAF Player of the Year. Morocco beat Congo but fall short.
2001 — 2004 · £3.60mJohn Gregory brought him to Villa Park after he scored against them. Three seasons, one Intertoto Cup.
2001 — 2002Nine years of service. 63 caps. 12 goals. Retired from international duty in 2002.
2004A half-season return to Spain, in Barcelona, before the next chapter called.
2004 — 2005To the Gulf. A league title. A third continent. The career map keeps expanding.
2005 — 2007Eleven goals from midfield across two German seasons. The touch hadn't dimmed.
2007 — 2010The final stop. Luxembourg. Three seasons. Retired at thirty-eight. Twenty years, seven countries, done.