Speaking to MAP on the sidelines of GITEX Africa 2025 in Marrakech, the two French legends, now entrepreneurs in the new tech sector, highlighted Morocco’s dynamism in the run-up to the 2030 football showpiece, citing Morocco’s state-of-the-art infrastructure and its vision for a successful digital transition.

The former internationals also expressed their admiration for Africa’s technological potential, while praising the level of organization of the 3rd GITEX Africa.

Robert Pirès, world champion in 1998, emphasized the importance of perseverance, respect and discipline in the career of a top-level footballer, values that he finds today in the world of startups.

“You have to have a goal in life. My dream has always been to become a professional footballer,” he said, adding that the qualities that made him a great football player are the same qualities that have enabled him to succeed in the world of new technologies.

For his part, Raphaël Varane, who began his professional career at the age of 17, pointed out that the greatest challenge for a top-level athlete is to know how to surround himself with the right people.

According to the 2018 world champion, investment in technology “is not a simple career repositioning, but a logical continuity, fueled by the need for structure and impact.”