For Morocco star striker Nassim, beach soccer really is a family matter
As the World Beach Games approach and the teams get ready for an historic debut appearance in Doha, Qatar, we took some time out with Moroccan international Nassim, to learn more about one of Africa’s top players.
One of four brothers, along with Anas, Sami and Amir, Nassim El Haddaoui was born 13 December 1987 in Casablanca, Morocco to, what can only be described as a very “beach soccer family”.
It only takes a few minutes of conversation with Nassim to clearly see where and why his illustrious career in beach soccer began…
“My father is a beach soccer coach and he is the head coach of the Morocco beach soccer national team as well he is the president of the federation of professional football players of Morocco. My mother is a beach soccer promoter in Morocco and a sports events organizer.”
He’s not just an athlete though, clearly seeing the importance of education and studying extensively.
“I hold C and B licenses of CAF. I also studied human resources and currently I study sports management at the Faculty of Sports of Montpellier in France and I am currently doing my diplomas of the French Football Federation.”
It looks as if Nassim’s CV is constantly being enhanced by new ventures, but what about past employment?
“Although I am currently a full-time Beach Soccer player, I have worked in a high school as an education assistant, and I was also a sports teacher in primary schools.”
The Moroccan striker may still be relatively young for a beach soccer player, but his journey through the sport so far is already a long one.
“I started playing beach soccer in 2005 in the youth tournaments in Casablanca and I was immediately hooked. In 2007 I joined the national team and since then I always feel the same pleasure that I felt when I first started; this sport is my passion.”
“In 2012, I started my club career in Europe in Switzerland, specifically with the SablesDancers. After this first step I made my name known and following my time there I was contacted to play for Italian, Ukrainian, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Hungarian clubs.”
Like all prosperous athletes Nassim has influential figures who have shaped his success.
“My first thought is Angelo Schirinzi who gave me my opening chance in European beach soccer. Also, there is Emiliano del Duca who made me believe in myself and put into my mind that I could be a global top player one day, and then of course my father who has supported me from day one. Besides that, I also cannot forget my wife and daughter who are behind me in the good times and the bad.”
In a highly decorated beach soccer career, what would the number ten class as his top achievement to date?
“Some of my accomplishments that I am most proud of are: scoring 150 goals in 128 games for Morocco, winning Coppa Italia twice and Scudetto in 2015 with Terracina, Silver Medal at the African Beach Games 2019, being double champion of Morocco, double Swiss Champion as well as the Swiss Cup.
Being shortlisted on the list of World Best Players is also definitely one of my biggest achievements.”
