Official: Real Madrid attacker Brahim Diaz to play for Morocco

Brahim Diaz has officially decided to play for Morocco’s national team, Spanish sports daily Marca reported earlier this evening.

The much-awaited announcement comes on the heels of several months of speculations and rumours as to the colours that Brahim Diaz would eventually represent.

Renowned Italian journalist, Fabrizio Romano, has always confirmed Brahim’ decision. “Brahim Díaz has decided to represent Morocco and accept their official call, he said.

“Brahim didn’t receive any notification of a call from Spain and his decision is final: he’s gonna play for Morocco,” he added.

Brahim’s decision crowns years of repeated attempts from the Moroccan Federation of Football to convince the Malage native to play for the country of his ancestors.

On the eve of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which took place in Russia, Morocco’s then-head coach Hervé made several attempts to convince Brahim Diaz to consider playing for Morocco.

Renard assured Brahim that in the event he chose to play for Morocco, he would be a central piece in the Moroccan squad as it was preparing to take part in the World Cup.

But it was to no avail. Brahim was convinced that he would only represent Spain at the international level, turning down the Moroccan offer.

Morocco made another attempt on the eve of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Following the last minute injury of Morocco’s international player Amine Harit, Morocco’s head coach Walid Regragui sought once again to convince Brahim Diaz to play for Morocco.

But Brahim who was convinced that his time to pay for Spain will come, turned the Moroccan offer.

The Madrid-based Marca expressed regret for Brahim's decision to represent Morocco instead of Spain, blaming the decision on Spain’s head coach Luis de Lafuente, reluctance to get in touch with Brahim Diaz to reassure him that he will have a spot in the Spanish national team and that he will count on him during the upcoming continental and global competitions, such as the Eurocup and the World Cup.

It's a shame, but Spain loses Brahim, the Spanish newspaper said.

“And it will not be because of the boy's intention, he waited until the last minute for the country of his birth (Málaga) and where his father (Melilla) and his mother (Málaga) were born,” it added.

The Spanish newspapers contrasted the Moroccan federation’s persistence and determination to convince Brahim Diaz to represent Morocco with Spain’s passivity and Lafuente’s outright ignorance of the Madrid player.

“Morocco has put all its efforts into Brahim, something that Spain has not done,” Marca said.

“Yes, Luis de la Fuente, La Roja’ coach, has always said that he had BD in mind, something that has not translated into a call-up or a call of affection to the boy or a contact, even if it was ephemeral, with the player,” it added.