After Ajax’s clear victory over Fortuna Sittard (4-1), marked by goals from the club’s young Belgian talents, Toby Alderweireld delivered a very clear message regarding Rayane Bounida (19 years old), the Belgian-Moroccan winger whose progress raises questions about his international future.
In an interview with ESPN Nederland (published on February 16, 2026), the former central defender, who played for Ajax and is a figure of the Red Devils, praised Bounida’s current form, while reminding that the transition to the very highest level also requires an athletic dimension, especially in a Belgian team that does not always play in a possession context comparable to that of Amsterdam.
However, it is particularly on the Belgium-Morocco choice that his intervention drew attention. Bounida has already worn the jersey of the Belgian youth teams, while remaining eligible for Morocco due to his origins. For Alderweireld, such a decision should not be guided by a logic of opportunity or playing time.
In the excerpt published by ESPN, the former Belgian international summarizes his advice in a simple idea: make a choice “with feeling,” based on identity and belonging, and not as “a step” in a career.
The message is clear: if the player feels closer to one country than the other, that feeling should take precedence, not calculations about the likelihood of being called up, starting, or being exposed. A rare reminder, counter to the usual debates on social media, often reduced to a simple sports projection.
Alderweireld also expanded his reflection to other young Belgians at Ajax, urging each to focus on their club progression, during a time when news and performances can quickly accelerate… or blur trajectories.
