Real Madrid playmaker Brahim Diaz has made his decision to play for Morocco, amid criticism for the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). The 24-year-old, who was born and raised in Malaga, will play for the country of his parents’ heritage, after he was called up by Walid Regragui to face Angola and Mauritania.
The RFEF and Spain coach Luis de la Fuente have come under fire for not calling Brahim up and locking down his future, or at least speaking privately with him to keep Brahim feeling as if he as close to the team. De la Fuente told the press on Monday that first and foremost, players ‘have to want to play for Spain’.
There is little argument to say that Brahim should have been called up again ahead of others until this international window, other than to secure his international future. It’s certainly a curious case though, as La Roja have always been quick to move for the likes of Bojan Krkic, Munir El Haddadi and most recently Lamine Yamal.