Amrabat joined Manchester United on loan from Fiorentina and played a key role in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City, completing the match at Wembley. Yet the club chose not to activate his purchase option, reportedly set at £21 million, and later invested heavily in Manuel Ugarte.
That decision left Amrabat looking for answers. Asked who could explain his departure, he replied: “Vocês terão que perguntar ao senhor Jason Wilcox.”
The midfielder subsequently spent a season on loan at Real Betis, while his relationship with Erik ten Hag remained complicated. Amrabat has made clear that Ten Hag wanted him to stay, even if the club ultimately took a different direction.
His role in Morocco’s campaign has been limited. Amrabat has appeared in one of the team’s four matches, playing the full game in the 4-2 win over Haiti.
The competition in midfield is fierce, with Ayyoub Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui and Azzedine Ounahi all pushing for places. That depth has made Amrabat more of an option than an automatic starter, but his experience remains valuable in a knockout tie.
Morocco reached the last 16 after drawing with Brazil and defeating the Netherlands on penalties. The team now has a historic opportunity: becoming the first African nation to win the World Cup.
Canada will offer a different challenge as co-hosts and home supporters add pressure. If Morocco progress, France could await in the quarter-finals. For Amrabat, the next match is a chance to turn a lingering club story into a defining international one.