Nordin Amrabat
A fiery and explosive winger whose fearless dribbling and boundless energy made him a fan favorite for club and the Moroccan national team.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Moroccan footballer·Birthday: March 31·Millennials
Biography
Nordin Amrabat's football journey is one of relentless drive and passionate expression. Born in the Netherlands to Moroccan parents, he chose to represent the Atlas Lions, bringing a Dutch technical foundation to Morocco's fiery attacking spirit. His career took him across Europe, from the Eredivisie to Turkey's Süper Lig and England's Premier League, where his direct style and work rate were constants. Amrabat's defining moment came at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where his courageous, head-bandaged performance against Portugal—just days after a concussion—epitomized his toughness. More than just skill, he played with a visible heart that resonated deeply with supporters.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Nordin was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Nordin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Nordin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Represented Morocco at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, starting in all three group stage matches.
- Played a key role in Watford F.C.'s promotion to the English Premier League in the 2014-2015 season.
- Won the Turkish Cup with Galatasaray in 2016.
Did You Know?
His older brother, Sofyan Amrabat, is also a professional footballer who plays for Morocco.
He played in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London for the Moroccan national team.
Amrabat required stitches and played with a bandaged head after a concussion in Morocco's 2018 World Cup match against Iran.
“I chose Morocco because my heart beats for the Atlas Lions.”
