AS Roma: Neil El Aynaoui reveals his football role model, and he's Spanish | OneFootball

The Moroccan midfielder draws inspiration from Iniesta and dreams of following in Nainggolan's footsteps

Neil El Aynaoui / AS Rome

Arriving at AS Roma this summer, Neil El Aynaoui quickly settled into his new club. He opened up about his sources of inspiration as a footballer. In an interview, the Moroccan midfielder revealed that his role model in football is a legendary Spanish player.

When asked if he had a football idol, Neil El Aynaoui replied: "Iniesta", before adding, "I lived in Barcelona as a child and wore the number 8 because of him." That statement speaks volumes about his admiration for the former FC Barcelona maestro, renowned for his elegance and exceptional technique.

He also mentioned Radja Nainggolan, a former AS Roma star and another strong figure he looks up to. "Just being compared to him is a huge compliment, he's a player who made history. I'd love to be able to emulate his achievements," Neil El Aynaoui said. As a reminder, he joined the Rome-based club on a five-year deal from RC Lens in July.