Moroccan King Mohammed VI has honoured the national team following their historic 2022 FIFA World Cup run in Qatar.
This comes after the Moroccan side finished in fourth place in the just-ended prestigious tournament.
In the process, they became the first African country to reach the semifinal of the World Cup by beating Portugal 1-0 in the quarterfinals.
The King decorated the president of the Moroccan Federation, head coach Walid Regragui and his entire 26-member squad with the Order of the Throne, rank Commander.
MOROCCO RECEIVES ROYAL MEDALS
To put a cherry on top, the players, technical team and staff of the national team were also awarded with the royal medals in appreciation for their job well done.
Before Morocco’s achievement to reach the World Cup’s last four, Cameroon [1990], Senegal [2002] and Ghana [2010] had all managed to reach the quarterfinals but couldn’t progress further.
The players, who were with their mothers received a warm welcome from the King, who was accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay Hassan, at the Royal Palace in Rabat.
Thousands of Moroccan fans also welcomed The Atlas Lions on their arrival on Tuesday.
The national team paraded in a bus to a rousing welcome in Rabat before heading to the Royal Palace.
WHAT THE RECEPTION BY THE KING MEANS
“The reception by the King of the players together with their mothers is a tribute paid to these Moroccan women who have ensured to instil in their children the values of patriotism, sacrifice and national belonging,” as described by MAP news agency.
In return, the national team also rewarded or presented His Majesty the King with souvenirs to show their gratitude for the support he gave them throughout the tournament in Qatar.
At the end of the beautiful ceremony, His Majesty the King took historic pictures with the Moroccan national football team.
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