In an interview with the Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo, Younes El Aynaoui said his son Neil has had a special connection with FC Barcelona since childhood.
“My son is Barça. He lived there from birth until he was 11. He would be the happiest man in the world if he played there one day,” he said.
Born in Nancy on July 2, 2001, Neil El Aynaoui spent much of his childhood in Barcelona, where his family had settled. It was during that period that he became a supporter of the Blaugrana club and developed his passion for football.
The AS Roma midfielder had previously spoken about his attachment to Barça and his admiration for Andrés Iniesta.
“I am a modern midfielder, with good stamina and the ability to play in every midfield position. As a child, I lived in Barcelona and supported Barça. I always admired Iniesta,” he said.
Under contract with AS Roma until 2030, the Moroccan international is enjoying an outstanding World Cup. His high-level performances could further increase his market value and attract interest from several major European clubs.
