Younes Elkhiry: “Achraf es un diamante en bruto y el futuro del Real Madrid”

Casablanca is the economic and commercial centre of Morocco, however, it is now a deserted city with a curfew. From a distance, Younes lives every Real Madrid match passionately and predicts a return to football in June. He believes in the comeback against City thanks to the return of injured players and hopes that it can be played at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

How are you handling confinement in Casablanca?

It's a very difficult situation like anywhere else in the world. It is forbidden to go out except to go to the supermarket and there is a curfew from 6pm to 5am.  

In Morocco, the COVID-19 pandemic was very well managed by King Mohammed VI, who shut down both land and air borders very quickly. We were the first country in the world to do so.

Also thousands of resuscitation beds were set up in record time, not to mention the use of the mandatory mask. Morocco was able to organise itself by producing five million masks a day.

Are your members in good health?

Unfortunately, we have a 29-year-old member who has tested positive. Luckily his situation is stable and he has been brought to the hotel. In the next few days he will be tested again to see if the virus has been eliminated. We talk to him every day and encourage him in this difficult time.
 

What do you miss most?

Seeing our families, our friends and of course Real Madrid. The feeling of waiting all week for a Real Madrid match is unique and, unfortunately, we miss it.

Have you travelled to any Real Madrid match this season?

I've been to ten Real Madrid matches this year, including the Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu. I was in Manchester against City, in the derby against Atletico, in the matches against PSG in the return, etc... Also the Casa Madridista Casablanca made a great trip to Madrid with 90 members to attend the match against Real Sociedad and against PSG that took place a few days later.
 

How many Real Madrid fans are there in Morocco? More Real Madrid or Barcelona fans?

A friend who works at Real Madrid told me that there were a million Moroccan fans on the official Real Madrid Facebook page. Because of the proximity between Morocco and Spain, La Liga is the most followed championship here. I think the population is divided in two: Real Madrid and the other team from Catalonia.

Do you think Real Madrid will play again this season?

I think La Liga will resume in the summer once the situation is more stable and this cursed pandemic is under control. I've read some statements from Javier Tebas who is very optimistic for a return over the summer months.

Had the Peña prepared for the match against Manchester City?

For the City game eight members of the Casa Madridista wanted to travel to Manchester for the match. And, as for all the matches, we organised a meeting between the members of the Casa Madridista Casablanca in a large room of a prestigious hotel in Casablanca that we use all year round.
 

Does Real Madrid care about foreign fans?

Real Madrid, through its president Florentino Pérez, is very concerned about its fans abroad and especially about the peñistas. We communicate regularly by e-mail with the club that issues us with tickets so that we can attend matches, visit Valdebebas when we arrive in Madrid, and other details... It is no coincidence that Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Real Madrid's Peñas Department, which is doing an outstanding job with Manuel Gómez Barrera and José Luis Sánchez at the helm.

If football returns, do you think that Real Madrid could go back to Manchester City in the Champions League?

If football resumes, and with the recovery of the injured Asensio, Hazard and Courtois, we will beat City. The Champions is part of the club's DNA, Real Madrid and the Champions League are just one.
 

Do you know the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium? What do you think about Real Madrid wanting to play their matches there for safety and for the construction work at the Bernabeu?

Yes, I am familiar with the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium. I had the opportunity to watch several matches played by Real Madrid Castilla. I remain skeptical and divided about finishing the season at Di Stefano. The advantage is that the works at the Santiago Bernabéu can be done faster and will be ready before the scheduled date, the disadvantage is that the players don't have their space at this pitch.

What do you expect Real Madrid to do with Achraf next season?

Achraf is a rough diamond who is only 21 years old and is one of the best wingers in the world. He is a versatile player who can play both right and left, he is a pure product of ... Madridism runs through his veins. He will be a very important reinforcement to compete with Carvajal. Both Achraf and Odegaard are the future of Real Madrid.
 

Is Benzema the 9th of Real Madrid or does he need to sign a forward?

Benzema is the best 9,5 of the planet. No striker has his qualities: returning to the goal, his movements between the lines, his technical quality of ball retention, etc.. But at his side he needs a pure '9', unfortunately Jovic has not yet adapted.

The best signing for Real Madrid is Mbappé, but given the economic situation caused by the COVID-19 I don't think he will be able to sign this summer. In my opinion Haaland would be perfect together with Karim Benzema.
 

Who should be signed by Real Madrid this summer?

Real Madrid should get Achraf and Odegaard back and sign a recovery midfielder like Camavinga to help Casemiro and a pure '9' like Haaland.

What message does the Peña Casa Madridista want to send to Madrid players all over the world?

The message that we would like to send to Real Madrid fans all over the world is the following: "We are all having a hard time, it's a challenge for all of humanity, be brave and respect the rules of social distancing to protect yourself and those you love. We will defeat this COVID-19 and soon everyone will be reunited as before with our team... Hala Madrid Y Nada Más".