Labyad sees cultural similarities between Brazil and Morocco and comments on a good moment at Corinthians By Thiago Lemos
4 min read
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Arriving at Corinthians three months ago, player Zakaria Labyad has already identified important connection points between Brazil and his country of origin, Morocco. Experience in Brazilian football has allowed the midfielder to observe cultural traits and passions shared by both nations.
In a recent interview, the 33-year-old athlete highlighted how football is immensely relevant to Moroccans, drawing a direct parallel with the intensity with which the sport is experienced by Brazilians. He underlined the depth of this passion, which transcends ages and social environments.
Labyad described a scenario where football unites all generations in Morocco. Children and adults actively participate in the game on the streets, and the passion for the sport is omnipresent, with bars and restaurants packed to watch the national team’s games.
The Moroccan midfielder compared the way Brazil and Morocco view football, highlighting the intensity and “craziness” of big club fans. Labyad made a point of mentioning Fiel, pointing out the Corinthians fans as the best in the world and describing the experience of playing at the Neo Química Arena as an unparalleled feeling. For him, this energy is a reflection of the deep love for football that he perceives both in his country and in Brazil.
Preparations and prospects for the Moroccan team in the World Cup
Labyad’s expectations now turn to Morocco’s debut at the World Cup. The match will be against the Brazilian team, this Saturday night, at 7pm (Brasília time), in New Jersey.
The Moroccan team had a historic campaign in the 2022 World Cup, reaching the semi-finals, where they were beaten by France 2-0. The performance in Qatar injected a great deal of confidence for the team to repeat or even surpass the mark in the current edition of the tournament.
The Corinthians player assessed Morocco’s chances, remembering the 2022 performance. He highlighted a tactical evolution of the team, which, according to him, has adopted a more offensive style of play, in contrast to the more defensive and counterattacking approach seen in the previous edition.
Expectations for the confrontation with Brazil and Mazraoui’s projection
Labyad also shared details of a recent conversation with his compatriot Noussair Mazraoui, a defender who plays for Manchester United, about the imminent challenge against the Brazilian team.
During the dialogue, Mazraoui and Labyad analyzed Brazil’s squad. Both agreed that the confrontation will be balanced, with both teams counting on great talents and seeking victory, which promises an exciting game, considered “50% for each side” by the midfielder. Despite playing in Brazil, Labyad expressed his support for Morocco.
They discussed several Brazilian athletes, with Mazraoui having already faced Vinicius Júnior and other attackers. Labyad, in turn, mentioned the quality of the midfielders and other players who play in national football, in addition to the expectation of facing a star like Neymar.
Adaptation and growing performance of the athlete at Corinthians
Labyad arrived at Corinthians at the end of February and it took him a while to get a run of games. However, under the command of coach Fernando Diniz, the midfielder began to have more minutes on the field and ended the first half of 2026 showing a good phase.
The player accumulated two goals and one assist in 14 matches played for the black and white team. His recent performance indicates a growing importance in the coach’s tactical scheme.
Even with the initial phase of adapting to the rhythm of the game and the new team, the athlete did not encounter any major difficulties in integrating into the Brazilian environment, highlighting the receptivity and affection of the fans.
Labyad described his adaptation as smooth, mentioning that he can now communicate in Portuguese. He compared Brazilian hospitality to that of his own people and revealed that the presence of old acquaintances in the cast, such as Memphis Depay and Carrillo, facilitated his arrival. The midfielder expressed happiness in defending a club as big as Corinthians, dealing well with pressure and being proud of having contributed goals in recent games.
The athlete is confident in his potential to help the team significantly, stating that he has been training intensely. He highlighted the good ending to the first part of the season with a victory over Grêmio and promised to make the fans proud.
Fernando Diniz’s influence on Labyad’s performance
Corinthians’ number 52 praised coach Fernando Diniz, who has been fundamental to his best performance on the field.
Labyad commented on his vast experience with different coaches throughout his career, but highlighted the way Diniz helps players tactically, both with the ball and without it. He also highlighted the commander’s excellent relationship with the entire cast, characterizing him as direct and transparent when pointing out successes and mistakes.
The midfielder concluded that he is managing to show his qualities to the coach, who now understands his potential, as do the other members of Corinthians. He described Diniz as a coach with a particular style and an appreciation for good football.
