Brahim Diaz, a Real Madrid midfielder born in Malaga to Spanish parents, has switched his international allegiance to Morocco after reportedly feeling overlooked by Spain, according to MARCA.
Diaz played for Spain at the youth level, but he has been waiting for his La Roja call-up since making his senior debut in 2021.
The 24-year-old’s only appearance for Spain’s senior team was in an international friendly against Lithuania on June 8, 2021. He scored the second goal in that match, which ended 4–0.
Diaz qualified to represent Morocco through his paternal grandfather, Brahim Diaz Abdelkader, who was born in Morocco.
According to Marca, the former AC Millan player has already accepted a call-up to the Morocco national team, which will play friendly matches against Angola and Mauritania this month on the 22nd and 26th.
The midfielder, who has appeared in 23 La Liga games for Real Madrid this season, scoring four goals and assisting twice, is also expected to make his competitive debut for the 2022 FIFA World Cup semifinalists against Zambia in June.
Morocco will host Zambia on June 5, 2024, in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier matchday three.
Zambia is sitting second in Group E of the qualifiers with three points from two matches, while Morocco is at the top with the same points after playing just one match.
Tanzania, Congo Brazzaville, and Niger round out the group, and only one team will qualify for the World Cup, while the second-placed team will advance to the playoffs depending on the results from other groups.
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