Abdelaziz Barrada dead at 35: Achraf Hakimi leads tributes to former Marseille and Morocco footballer after his tragic passing

Former Marseille midfielder Abdelaziz Barrada has died at the age of 35, the club said on Thursday, with the Moroccan football federation describing his death as a ‘great tragedy’.

No official cause of death has been announced however, widespread reports from Morocco claim that he suffered a heart attack.

Born in France, Hakimi went on to represent Morocco at international level and was part of the side that were runners-up in the 2011 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.

He then became a regular feature for Morocco at full international level and won 26 caps between 2012 and 2015, scoring four goals.

Achraf Hakimi wrote on his Instagram story: ‘Some sad news today. My sincere condolences to his entire family. Thank you for everything.’ 

PSG star Achraf Hakimi shared his condolences following his compatriot’s untimely passing 

Barrada made over 250 appearances for ten different clubs during a 15-year playing career

‘The club would like to offer its sincerest condolences to his family and share their grief,’ Marseille, where Barrada spent two years, wrote on X.

After starting his career in France with Senart-Moissy, Barrada would go on to join PSG’s reserve side and spent three years with Les Parisians before moving on to Getafe.

‘Paris St Germain extends its sincerest condolences to his family and friends,’ PSG wrote on X.

The midfielder would then go on to enjoy spells in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Qatar before hanging up his boots in 2021 following a brief stint at Parisian club US Lusitanos Saint-Maur.