Bono’s Argentina Dream: Morocco’s Rising Stars and a Hallmark Season with Al Hilal

Yassine Bono, the Moroccan goalkeeper for Al Hilal and the national team, reveals a personal dream that has persisted for years and shares pride in the emerging generation of Moroccan footballers.

His biggest dream remains: 'to play in Argentina'.

In a candid chat with DSports Radio, Bono spoke openly about his ties to Latin American football, his views on the development of African and Moroccan football, and how his time in Saudi Arabia has helped him mature and gain confidence.

He noted with admiration the high level demonstrated by Morocco’s youth national teams, saying Morocco now competes without fear against giants like Argentina, France, and Brazil, thanks to the players’ mindset and the modern schools shaping football education.

We are proud to be recognized worldwide

He added: 'The Under‑20 title is amazing for Moroccans. Beyond football, we are very proud to be recognized around the world; football is a powerful vehicle for introducing cultures to one another'.

"I was surprised by the competitive level Morocco showed, and this proves that young players no longer fear giants like Argentina, France, or Brazil. As Dr. Carlos Bilardo once said, Africa has a huge pool of talent, and with a winning mindset we can reach the top," Bono said.

The Tango Dream

Bono continued: 'African football has evolved a lot and must keep growing in administration and organization. Morocco has made great strides in this area, which is often what distinguishes Europeans and South Americans.'

On his Argentina dream, he stated: 'Playing in the Argentine league is a dream I’ve held for a long time. I have great affection for Argentina; there are fantastic goalkeepers there, which makes reaching that league challenging. But the people there have shown me a lot of love, and that pushes me to achieve my dream.'

'Playing in Argentina is a big dream for me, but it isn’t easy to break into that league. Still, there’s always affection and positive energy, and I hope to live that experience someday.'

Bono also praised Emiliano Martínez: 'Martínez was the piece Argentina needed to win their major titles. I’m very happy for him and for his country; he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world.'

He added about following Argentine football: 'When I can, I watch River Plate. It’s unfortunate what happened to them in the Libertadores, but the club is steady and always at the top. We should appreciate this consistency.'

He closed by praising Lionel Messi: 'Everyone around the world admires Messi, and our Morocco U20 players admire him too. He is a wonderful footballer and a true professional in every sense.'

Bono among Africa’s stars in the 2025 awards race

The interview comes as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced nominees for 2025, with Bono leading the list for Africa’s best goalkeeper. The roster features ten standout shot‑stoppers, including Egypt’s Ahmed El‑Shenawy, Cameroon’s André Onana, Senegal’s Édouard Mendy, and Morocco’s Munir Mohamadi, alongside talents from South Africa and the Ivory Coast.

CAF also revealed contenders for Best Player, Best Coach, Best Club, and Best National Team. Walid Regragui was highlighted among top coaches, while Morocco’s U20s are in the running for Africa’s Best National Team of 2025.

A notable season with Al Hilal

Bono continues to shine for Al Hilal in the 2025–2026 campaign, playing every minute of every match so far and becoming a defensive pillar for the team. He has appeared in nine matches to date: five in the Saudi Pro League, three in the AFC Champions League, and one in the King’s Cup against Okhdood.

Despite conceding 10 goals, he has kept three clean sheets and made crucial saves that have preserved several victories. Al Hilal heads into a busy period with a high-profile derby against Al Ittihad in Jeddah on Friday, followed by a King’s Cup Round of 16 clash against Okhdood on Tuesday.

Two light punchlines, sniper-style: 1) If Bono finally makes it to the Argentine league, he’ll need to renew his passport every time he switches leagues—cross-travel, no layovers. 2) He’s chasing the Tango so hard that even the footballs are practicing their footwork; Messi may want to hire Bono as a choreographer.