Barcelona midfielder Munir El-Hadidi wants to dump Spain for Morocco

by Phumzile Ngcatshe

Friday Nov 17, 2017. 08:54

Latest news surrounding the future of Morocco-born and Barcelona midfielder, Munir El-Haddadi is that he wants to play for the Atlas Lions at international level.

El-Haddadi has officially requested from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to be allowed to represent the senior national team.

Media reports reveal that the player, who possesses a dual Spanish-Moroccan citizenship, has expressed his desire to change his sporting nationality.

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Born to Moroccan parents in Madrid, he played for Spain U19 and U21 sides until he graduated to the first team when he earned his debut for Spain against Macedonia in the 2016 Euro Qualifiers in 2014.

However, the 22-year-old winger has never featured for the 2010 World Champions since his inclusion during the Macedonia match.

Moreover, his appearance hinders him from representing any other country unless he publicly discloses his desire to change his sporting nationality, according to FIFA regulations.

The man on loan at Alaves, has gone to FIFA in person in order request from officials to defend the rights of players with dual citizenships, reports a Moroccan newspaper Assabah.

Meanwhile, some Moroccan publications assume that El-Haddadi wants to represent Morocco as the Atlas Lions were successful in reaching the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.