Brahim Diaz (24) will soon be a Moroccan international. And the arrival of the Real Madrid player among the Atlas Lions is creating an almost unprecedented buzz.
Having been in contact with Morocco, his father’s homeland, for several months, Brahim Diaz has finally said yes to the Moroccan national team. It is the end of a drama that has lasted many months and kept La Roja and Atlas Lions fans on the edge of their seats.
His arrival was by no means a foregone conclusion until recently, given that Luis de la Fuente, Spain’s coach, had already called him up for the March qualifiers. His history with the Spanish national team, both at youth level and at senior level (1 cap in 2021), did not exactly speak in favour of Morocco. But the Malaga-born player finally decided to join the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists, as revealed by Marca newspaper on Sunday evening.
For his first steps in the Moroccan shirt, the former AC Milan player is expected to receive a grand welcome. At least that’s what well-known insider Fabrizio Romano said in a post on his X account on Monday. “The Moroccan FA is preparing a big party for Brahim Diaz, who has decided to join the national team. The formal decision was taken yesterday and the Federation is preparing the next steps for the next two weeks,” says the Italian.
Diaz’s arrival with the Atlas Lions is logically seen as a significant reinforcement for the team. It also underlines the growing appeal of Moroccan football on the international stage, despite a disappointing CAF Africa Cup of Nations (elimination in the last 16 2-0 to South Africa). The huge party planned to welcome him underlines the importance of this acquisition for Morocco, and promises to be a memorable event for both the player and the fans.
🇲🇦 Moroccan Federation, preparing big celebration for Brahim Diaz who has decided to join the national team.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 11, 2024
The formal decision has been made yesterday and the Federation is preparing the following steps for the next two weeks. pic.twitter.com/1Od9OwpZzY
11 days to go before his debut?
Barring any unpleasant administrative surprises, Brahim Diaz should make his debut for the Moroccan national team next Friday against Angola in a friendly at the Stade Adrar in Agadir (seating around 45,000). It’s a game with no major stakes, apart from confirming the expectations placed in him. Angola’s Palancas Negras, quarter-finalists at the last CAF Africa Cup of Nations (losing 1-0 to eventual winners Nigeria), are likely to be Brahim Diaz’s first opponents in the Moroccan national team.
Four days later, on Tuesday 26 March, Mauritania will face the Atlas Lions, again in a friendly. The Mourabitounes also had an interesting campaign in Côte d’Ivoire, reaching the last 16 (losing 1-0 to Cape Verde). The game will also be played at the Stade Adrar. Let’s hope the Madrid man shines on his international debut!
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