Former Moroccan footballer Abdelaziz Barrada has tragically passed away at the age of 35.
A statement released by the Moroccan Football Federation read:
‘The Royal Moroccan Football Federation extends its sincere condolences to the family of the former Moroccan international, the late Abdelaziz Barrada, and through them to all his family and relatives, as well as the national football family.’
No official cause of death has been announced regarding his sudden death, however widespread reports coming from Morocco claim he suffered a heart attack.
Many footballers took to social media to pay tribute to the former Marseille and Getafe star including compatriots Achraf Hakimi and Amine Harit.
Who was Abdelaziz Barrada?
Barrada was a former professional footballer player who played as a midfielder.
The 35-year-old was born in Provins, France on June, 19, 1989 but would end up representing Morocco on the international stage.
The French-born player began his youth football career at Senart-Moissy, a French club based in Moissy-Cramayel, France.
From there, Barrada would go on to join PSG’s reserve side, where he spent three years with Les Parisians before completing a move to Spanish outfit Getafe as a free agent.
First linking up with the reserve squad, where he played a key role in retaining the B side’s Segunda Division B status in their first season.
After a successful one-year spell with the reserves, Barrada earned a call-up to the first team from manager Luis Garcia.
Making his debut on August, 28, 2011, he immediately became a prominent figure in the Spanish manager’s starting XI.
It was during his time with Getafe, Barrada earned a call-up to the senior Moroccan national team and was part of the side that who represented the country at the 2012 London Olympics.
He then became a familiar face for Morocco at full international level, earning 26 caps between 2012 and 2015, scoring four goals for his country.
After two years, 64 appearances, eight goals and seven assists for Getafe, Barrada decided joined UEA Pro League side Al Jazira club on a four-year contract for the 2013-14 season despite interest from several European clubs.
His stint in the United Arab Emirates didn’t last long however. Barrada spent only one-year with Al Jazira club after catching the eye of multiple suitors following an impressive debut season.
Only a year after making the move, Barrada would go on to sign for French-side Marseille, he made 33 appearances for the Ligue 1 side, scoring two goals.
The midfielder would then go on to enjoy spells in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Qatar before hanging up his boots in 2021 following a brief stint at Parisian club US Lusitanos Saint-Maur.
After bowing out as a player, the Moroccan remained prevalent in the football world, working as a consultant for RMC Sport and BeIN Sports on occasion.
He only recently obtained his UEFA A Football Coaching Diploma and had aspirations of becoming a coach before his tragic passing.
Tributes to Barrada
Achraf Hakimi shared a message to his Instagram story which read: ‘Some sad news today. My sincere condolences to his entire family. Thank you for everything.’
‘The club would like to offer its sincerest condolences to his family and share in the grief of his loved ones,’ Marseille, wrote on X.
PSG also paid tribute to their former reserve player, writing on X: ‘Paris St Germain extends its sincerest condolences to his family and friends.’
Marseille’s Moroccan international Amine Harit added: ‘Abdelaziz Barrada may Allah have mercy on you support his loved ones,’ in a post on X.