A month after the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations and just three months before the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup, Morocco national team captain Romain Ghanem Saïss has hung up his boots on the international stage. The decision wasn’t merely a retirement; it was a resounding end to a complete era – 14 years of loyalty and discipline, 86 official appearances, three goals, and the captain’s armband since 2019, all culminating in a single word: “I close the most beautiful chapter of my life.”
Born in France, Saïss carried his heart towards Morocco from a young age. The red and green jersey wasn’t just a sporting outfit he wore, but a weight of roots, belonging, and national pride. As he wrote in his final message, “For me, this shirt transcends sport… it’s a story of roots, family, and heart.” Every match, every tackle, every save was a testament to his devotion to his homeland, a feeling of pride and trembling all at once, as if every game was history being written, not just a game being played.
An Indelible Legacy
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the historic semi-final against France was a golden moment, the first achievement of its kind for an Arab and African team. Saïss, the center-back and captain, consoled the younger players, bolstering their resolve, despite injuries that prevented him from playing freely. It was as if his body became the price for his moral fortitude.
Then came the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where he played only a few minutes before an injury forced him off the pitch. In the final, he watched his teammates from the bench lose to Senegal, helpless to play but present in spirit and heart.
Leadership Vacuum
Saïss’s retirement, having played with Le Havre and Angers in France, Wolverhampton Wanderers in England, Beşiktaş in Turkey, and Al-Sadd in Qatar, leaves a massive void in a team seeking to continue its success. The Moroccan squad has lost its defensive backbone and moral leader, the officer who knew the young players the meaning of belonging and discipline. The pressure now falls directly on Walid Regragui, who must find latest leadership, integrate the promising young generation with the remaining experienced players, and create a new defensive identity just months before the biggest global event.
The decision comes before Morocco’s participation in the 2026 World Cup, hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as reported by CNN Arabic (CNN Arabic).
A Transitional Beginning
However, retirement isn’t just a farewell; it’s the beginning of a transitional phase. The generation of 2025 is knocking on the door, new blood will revitalize the team, and reshape its personality. The same fighting spirit remains, but the leadership will be distributed, and the young players will have to prove they are capable of carrying the torch of the “Lions” with the same spirit as Saïss, who taught them that the national shirt is more than just a game – it’s roots, family, heart, and indescribable pride.
Saïss has officially left, but he left a clear message to the team and the new generation: “From now on, I will be your first supporter, faithful and enthusiastic no matter the circumstances… I will remain a lion forever.” Words that encapsulate years of loyalty, sincere feelings, and a leadership spirit that left its mark on everyone who played with him and everyone who cheered for the team from the stands.
Romain Saïss, who will complete his season in the Qatari league and may move into coaching, didn’t leave the national team as just another retired player, but as a leader, a lion, and a knight of the national shirt, leaving a leadership and moral legacy, and paving the way for a new generation to rewrite the history of the Moroccan team with greater confidence and renewed boldness before the American World Cup next summer, where the “Lions” will begin a new era, without the lion who taught them the meaning of fighting and belonging.
As Winwin reports (Winwin), Saïss’s decision marks a significant shift for the Moroccan national team as they prepare for future competitions.
The veteran defender made 86 international appearances for Morocco, scoring three goals and providing one assist, according to Beinsports (Beinsports). The team now faces the challenge of finding a new leader and maintaining their competitive edge.
What comes next for the Moroccan national team remains to be seen, but the legacy of Romain Saïss will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of players. The focus now shifts to building a strong team for the 2026 World Cup and beyond.
Share your thoughts on Saïss’s retirement and the future of the Moroccan national team in the comments below.
