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Fez – Ilias Sebaoui, a rising Moroccan-Belgian talent, has reportedly decided to play for Morocco’s U23 team, turning down Belgium’s football team’s continuous calls on the young footballer to represent the Belgian side.
According to the Dutch news outlet Gazet Van Antwerpen, the Moroccan wonderkid has declined calls by Jacky Matthijsen, the head coach of U23 Belgium’s football team, to be part of the Belgian team in the upcoming games.
Gazet Van Antwerpen reported Sebaoui to have told the Belgian coach that he had decided to represent the U23 Moroccan team, temporarily closing the door for possible participation with the Red Devils.
The 20-year-old attacking midfielder had also informed his current club, Beerschot V.A., of his preference for the Moroccan squad.
Sebaoui has been in exceptional form this season, delivering outstanding performances with his Belgian club and gradually catching the interest of elite clubs across Europe.
Read also: Bayern Munich Close to Signing Moroccan Talent Adam Aznou Ben Cheikh
Holding dual Morocco-Belgian nationality, the promising talent has been subject to fierce competition between the Moroccan and Belgian football federations, with each engaging in a race against the clock to convince the player to join their camp.
Yet, Sebaoui appears to be determined to play for the Moroccan national team as he occasionally expressed his delight to wear the Atlas Lions’ jersey.
In a recent interview with Moroccan football-focused news outlet Al Mountakhab, Sebaoui once again conveyed his satisfaction with choosing to play with Morocco over Belgium.
“Frankly speaking, I feel closer to Morocco than to Belgium. Even though I was born and raised here [Belgium], I feel more Moroccan. This has made me, from a young age, focus on choosing to play for my country of origin,” he said.
The 20-year-old attacking midfielder went on to highlight that the decision to play for the Moroccan national team was a “call of the heart.”
“I am happy to have chosen to play for Morocco. And if ever were asked again to choose between Morocco and Belgium, I would choose Morocco without hesitation,” a proud Sebaoui added.
