• Yassine Bounou has been speaking to FIFA

• Moroccan stopper has been nominated for The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper Award

• He has been shortlisted alongside Thibaut Courtois and Ederson

Were an award ever created for the most available player, then Yassine Bounou would surely be in contention.

Despite taking a four-hour flight from Rabat, Morocco, to Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire, then another two-hour flight to the port city of San Pedro, where Morocco will play their opening two games at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, the Moroccan goalkeeper was still able to fulfil his interview commitment to FIFA: "A promise is a promise, and I’m a man of my word," he said with a broad smile, in spite of his fatigue after the long journey.

Shortlisted for the second year in a row in The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper category, the Moroccan shone on the European stage during 2023, winning the UEFA Europa League and contesting the UEFA Super Cup with Sevilla, before joining Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal. "I still have the same hunger for titles with my club and national team. I am and will continue to be wedded to the performance and results culture that my trainers have instilled in me."

After picking up that Europa League title last year with his former club, the semi-finalist from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ is now hoping to shine at the Africa Cup of Nations with Morocco. The Atlas Lions get their campaign underway on 17 January against Tanzania and will be searching for their first AFCON title since 1974.

FIFA: For the second year in a row, you’re one of the three finalists in The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper category. How does that feel?

Yassine Bounou: It's always an honour to be nominated in this category and be among the best. I feel pride and humility when asked to represent Morocco, a team that continues to show its expertise and excellence to the whole world. With our run to the semis at the last World Cup, we proved that African and Arab teams can compete with the best in the world. We’ve opened the door for other teams to show their worth at future World Cups. I also owe my The Best FIFA Award nomination to my team mates, because I get to rub shoulders with the best, and that spurs me on to progress further.

Belgium's Thibaut Courtois and Brazil's Ederson are also in the running for the award. What can you tell us about them?

They need no introduction and are the best in the business. They’re both great keepers who have performed excellently in recent seasons. For me, it is a pleasure to be shortlisted alongside them.

What does your nomination mean to you?

It's an extra motivation. In a way, I tell myself that I have a standing to defend. It drives me to give my best every time I take to the pitch and to work harder.

In your opinion, what qualities does a keeper need to be crowned The Best?

The top category doesn't lie. If you’re in that group, it's because you're physically, technically and tactically capable. What sets them apart now is consistency and concentration. Without those two elements, it's hard to stand out from the crowd.

As a keeper, who is the best player you've faced?

I've played against most of the greatest players of our era. From Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe to Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland, I've come up against them all. [After deliberation] It's really hard for me to give you one name. They’re all exceptional players who have made us dream and whose performances will be difficult to replicate.

On 17 January, Morocco face Tanzania in their opening AFCON fixture. How are you feeling ahead of the tournament?

This is a challenge that’s close to our hearts. Our generation deserves recognition within Africa. At the last AFCON, we didn't manage to get past the quarter-finals, so for this edition, we have loftier ambitions. We have a responsibility to give it our all.

This AFCON will be your first international competition since the team bowed out in the semi-finals of Qatar 2022. Do you feel extra pressure given that many observers regard Morocco as strong favourites for this edition?

They’ve had good reason to regard us that way. Indeed, after our World Cup run, we really have to achieve something wonderful at this AFCON. These are two equally prestigious tournaments. Personally, my sole requirement is to show the very best of myself. As a senior player, I need to set an example for others to follow on the pitch and transmit all my energy to the team. Giving your all, being present and delivering at the right time are the only things the team demands of us.