In a rare statement made nearly five decades ago, prominent Argentine coach Carlos Salvador Bilardo asserted that the future of football will not be limited to traditional powerhouses in Europe and South America, but will emerge from Africa—specifically Morocco.
In an old video that has resurfaced following Morocco’s advancement to the youth World Cup final, Bilardo reflected on his experience visiting Morocco, noting that he observed the passion and authenticity with which football is played there. “The future is not in Europe or South America… but in Africa,” he stated.
He elaborated that while strolling through European cities like Rome, Munich, or Cologne, he did not witness football being played in the streets as it is in Morocco and other parts of Africa.
Bilardo witnessed a community passion for the game in Morocco, spotting the potential for African football’s future in the streets and small fields. His insights were not merely technical analyses but also social observations, emphasizing that street-born football holds potential that remains untapped in many countries.
Morocco’s reaching the youth World Cup final is seen as a realization of Bilardo’s prophecy made over five decades ago, and coincidentally, they will play against his home country, Argentina.
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