Romain Saiss, the long-time captain of the Moroccan national football team, has declared his retirement from the national team mere months ahead of the World Cup finals set to take place in North America. The decision comes as a surprise given his pivotal role in guiding Morocco to recent successes, including a memorable run to the semi-finals in the last World Cup held in Qatar. Saiss's announcement has left fans and fellow players reflecting on his contributions to the team over the years.

The 35-year-old had a notable international career, featuring 86 matches and scoring three goals for Morocco. His last appearance for the national team was at the African Cup of Nations tournament, where Morocco reached the finals but suffered a loss to Senegal. Unfortunately, Saiss's participation in that tournament was cut short due to an injury sustained during a match against Comoros, which prevented him from playing in the latter stages of the competition.

In addition to his international accolades, Saiss has played for various clubs, including Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League, and has spent his last few years playing in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. His decision to step back from the national team marks the end of an era for Moroccan football, as he was instrumental in the country’s footballing achievements in recent tournaments, highlighting the rising competitive stature of Moroccan football on the world stage.