Summoned by Vahid Halilhdozic to take part in the African Cup which will be played in Cameroon from January 9 to February 6, Abde Ezzalzouli, is also very followed by the Spanish Federation, who hopes that the young player of FC Barcelona will refuse the call from Morocco.
As beIN Sports reports, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is pressuring Abde not to accept Morocco’s invitation to participate in the Africa Cup with the promise to call him in the future. with the senior Spanish team.
At 20, the Barça winger born in the city of Beni Mellal on December 17, 2001 has not yet made his debut in Morocco.
Since the arrival of Xavi Hernandez at the head of FC Barcelona, the Moroccan star has delivered eye-catching performances placing him as a key player for the Spanish club.
After the recent performances with the Catalan club’s matches, the Spanish press has launched a fierce campaign pressuring the player to represent the Spanish football team.
However, Ezzalzouli seems determined to represent the Moroccan national team and to shine during the next CAN which will see Morocco face powerful opponents.
“I have spoken with Ezzalzouli on the phone lately and said encouraging words to him. He is very proud to wear the Moroccan jersey ”Halilodzic said at the December 23 press conference.
The case of Munir El Haddadi
While waiting to see what Abde decides to do, whether the Moroccan invitation is accepted or not, there is a precedent case for another player who was also playing for Barca at the time. This is Munir El Haddadi, who made his debut on September 8, 2014 with the Spanish senior team under Vicente del Bosque in a game against Macedonia.
El Haddadi had played 13 minutes for the Spanish selection, before expressing his desire on many occasions to wear the jersey of the Atlas Lions.
Despite the fact that after that match he was not recalled by Roja, Munir was able to play for Morocco after FIFA changed their regulations last March and allowed players under 21 who had played less than five games with one country choosing another.
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