Anwar El Ghazi: Cristiano Ronaldo Advised me to Opt for the Netherlands

Rabat – Anwar El Ghazi has opted to play for the Netherlands after consulting Real Madrid talisman Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Ajax Amsterdam player of Moroccan origins has revealed that Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has advised him to pledge his allegiance to the Netherlands and not Morocco.

The 20-year-old is included in Danny Blind’s 28-man Netherlands preliminary squad to play the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Czech Republic next month.

El Ghazi, who has scored seven goals for Ajax so far in the season, said he was persuaded by the three-time Ballon d’Or winner to represent the Netherlands at international level.

“I have thought about it for a long time. My parents, my family, my personal trainer and also Cristiano Ronaldo have advised me. I have included everything in my choice,” El Ghazi told Ajax’s official website.

“It came up with Ronaldo. He asked how I stood on the Netherlands. He said if he were me, he would opt for the Netherlands. He said I had to decide it myself and that people always have an opinion.

“Choose Netherlands and Moroccans will say I’m not a real Moroccan, opt for Morocco then the Dutch say ‘Hey, you’re born and raised here, what the hell is that?'”

El Ghazi added: “I’m going to do my best. I’m going to give everything for the country because I was born and raised here.”