Sofyan Amrabat labelled ‘player of the World Cup’ as Morocco star singled out by French president Emmanuel Macron following semi-final defeat
Sofyan Amrabat has been labelled as the standout player of the World Cup after Morocco's brave semi-final defeat - with French president Emmanuel Macron among his new admirers.
The Fiorentina midfielder has been hailed as a role model to young kids due to his tireless work rate and dedication on the pitch as he produced another outstanding display in the African nation's 2-0 loss to France in the last four.
The tenacious 26-year-old, who has picked up nine yellow cards in Serie A this season, was the driving force of the Atlas Lions in their historic World Cup run.
But their fairytale has come to an end, with Morocco earning plenty of plaudits after becoming the first African nation to reach the last four.
And one man in particular has stood out from the rest with Amrabat, who delivered a crunching tackle on Kylian Mbappe, singled out for praise.
Speaking after the match on who their man of the match from Wednesday's game was, talkSPORT's Stuart Pearce said: "I think if I was edging on one it would be Amrabat.
"His drive, his energy, his leadership, everything that he stood for today, the French didn't have in their ranks."
It was a view shared by Nigel Adderley, who remarked: "I agree, Amrabat, without any question. I think he's been their player of the tournament.
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"I think he ran the game at times tonight, it was incredible, just how deep the French were in the second half.
"And he was driving at them, and the main reason they were so deep was because of his energy and the way he just cajoled his entire team and cajoled the entire nation."
Chiming in, Adrian Durham commented: "As a football fan, if a player gives 100 per cent and more every single time he goes out there, but still ends up on the losing side, you can forgive him.
"He's always going to forgive him, he's always going to have the support of the fans, that is always going to be the case with genuine fans.
"And everybody can see that Amrabat, yes they lost 2-0, but he has given literally everything for the cause.
"Absolutely flat out at the end of every game, not just this one, every single game he's played, he's given the lot."
Interjecting, Pearce then said: "I think we revere great players who have the skill and ability to turn games, we've talked overly about [Lionel] Messi, and certain players of that ilk.
"But it's the ones that resonate, and I don't want to put Amrabat down, but it's the ones like him that resonate with young kids that are just starting off their journey in the game.
"They think, 'wow. If I show that energy, maybe one day I can play on this stage'. And he was a wonderful example to young players."
Amrabat even drew praise from those in high power with French president Macron hailing him the best midfielder at Qatar 2022, reports Fabrizio Romano.
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Macron is claimed to have visited the Morocco dressing room to tell Amrabat that in person.
But Durham went one further, stating: "Well, he has been my player of the tournament, he is certainly talkSPORT's man of the match."
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