Akhomash: I look forward to winning the World Cup.

Moroccan international player Elías Achoumesh confirmed that his decision to represent the Moroccan national team instead of Spain was a choice he made with conviction a long time ago. He emphasized that he was fully aware of the national team he wanted to defend, despite his appreciation for the Spanish team for the good treatment he received during his time representing their youth teams.

Achoumesh mentioned in an interview with “castellonaldia” that the injuries he suffered at the end of last season negatively impacted his career, after he had been performing exceptionally well with Rayo Vallecano, which deprived him of participating in the 2026 World Cup. He expressed his hope of achieving this dream in the future, as it is one of the main goals any football player strives for.

Regarding his current experience with Villarreal, the Moroccan player praised the work of coach Iñigo Pérez, confirming that his previous knowledge of him during his time at Rayo Vallecano helped him integrate more quickly into the team's environment, especially since he is well aware of his style and approach to dealing with players.

Achoumesh explained that his coach dedicates all his time to football, pointing out the extent of his daily commitment during his previous experience, where he would arrive at the training center at 7 AM and leave at 10 PM. He noted that the same situation is currently repeating at Villarreal, where Pérez continues to pay attention to all details related to his work.

The Moroccan international believed that the resources available at Villarreal provide the coach with better working conditions compared to what was the case at Rayo Vallecano, highlighting that the difference in infrastructure does not change the level of effort Pérez puts in or his degree of commitment. He also confirmed that the team absorbed his ideas from the beginning, despite the challenges faced at the start of the season regarding results.