Morocco made history at the Qatar 2022 World Cup: they defeated Portugal and for the first time in their footballing life, they made it to the semifinals. The team, up to this point, has maintained a score of zero in four out of the five matches they have played. This was possible thanks to the hard work of Yassine Bouno, better known as 'Bono', their star goalkeeper.
The goalkeeper, who saved two penalties in his match against Spain, not only surprised with his saves, but also with his command of the Spanish language with an Argentine accent. Did 'Bono' study or work in Argentina? Where was he born? His story will surprise you!
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'Bono': Canadian, Moroccan, or Argentine?
Of Moroccan origin, Yassine Bouno or 'Bono' was born in Montreal, Canada, on April 5, 1991. However, at the age of seven, he returned to his parents' native country, Morocco.
From a young age, he showed his love for football and, as his first experience, he was part of the Wydad Casablanca club.
'Bono' was born in Canada, but at the age of seven, he returned to his parents' native country, Morocco. Photo: Récord
Yassine Bouno and his love for Argentina
His father gave him his first Argentina national team shirt and, like every child from the 90s, he became a fan of Ariel 'el Burrito' Ortega.
In 2012, he left Morocco when Atlético Madrid signed him. At that time, the team was led by 'Cholo' Simeone, a former Argentine player.
Later, he spent two seasons with Zamora, three years with Girona, and finally ended up at Sevilla, his current team.
Sevilla F. C. is Yassine Bouno's current team. Photo: Morocco World News
"I am more Moroccan than anything else. It's just that when I arrived in Spain, I learned from Argentines and picked up a bit of their accent," he explained once.
Although his life has been linked to Spain, he is still a big fan of Argentine soccer and a River Plate supporter.
He even admitted in an interview that his dog is named Ariel, in honor of the River player.
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Bouno speaks four languages
Bouno, who is currently married to a young Moroccan woman with whom he has a son, speaks four languages due to his incredible life story.
He can speak Arabic, the language of his parents; French, as he lived in Montreal until the age of seven; Spanish with a River Plate accent, because he learned alongside Argentines; and finally, English.
Morocco will play against France on Wednesday the fourteenth, and 'Bono's' hands will once again be the focus of the match. Will he save more penalties and keep a clean sheet for 120 minutes?
'Bono' with his young son. Photo: Semana