HIBAPRESS – Rabat
The national sports community was shocked on Tuesday morning, November 18, 2025, by the death of former Moroccan international player Mohamed Maaroufi, one of the stars of the 1970s generation and a prominent player for the Difaâ Hassani d'Jadida team, after suffering from an illness for which he underwent treatment at a clinic in Casablanca. His departure left deep sadness in the hearts of his fans and the Moroccan football fans, for the contributions and immortal contributions he made to the history of national and international football.
The deceased was born in 1947 and began his sports career at an early age, before his name became prominent thanks to his great skills in midfield, becoming one of the most prominent players of his generation. His remarkable brilliance with Difaâ Hassani d'Jadida made him receive the attention of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, so he was called to wear the national team jersey during his period of glory.
Maaroufi is considered one of the players who etched their names in the Moroccan sports memory, as he participated with the national team in the 1970 World Cup finals in Mexico, a stage that constituted an important turning point in the course of Moroccan and Arab-African football. He also participated in the 1972 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon, confirming his position as one of the most important players of that era.
His brilliance was not limited to the national stadiums, as he had a prominent professional experience in Europe, through his playing for the French team Nîmes Olympique, a stage in which he showed his technical value and quality inside the stadium.
After his retirement, Mohamed Maaroufi remained close to the field he loved, where he contributed to the training and development of young players within a number of clubs, and he also supervised the technical bench of his home team, Difaâ Hassani d'Jadida, at one point, thus continuing to serve national football from another position.
The deceased was known for his modesty and high morals, which made him loved by everyone who knew him or dealt with him. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation and a number of clubs and media figures hastened to offer condolences to his family and the sports family, praising what he had provided to national football of great services.
With the departure of Mohamed Maaroufi, Moroccan sport loses one of its symbols who raised the banner of the nation in international forums and contributed to building the foundations of modern football in the Kingdom. His name will remain immortal in the memory of football fans, and in the history of the national team and Difaâ Hassani d'Jadida alike.
