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Rabat – As his choice to represent Morocco’s national team continues to grab headlines in Spain, the now Moroccan international and Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz has spoken about the reasons behind his decision to choose the Atlas Lions.
In an exclusive interview appearance on Universo Valdano, a popular football show broadcast by Movistar, the Real Madrid player started by stressing that he “did not demand anything to go with Spain.”
“I have never pushed to play for Spain and I never will. I speak on the field; it is where you are good and where you accumulate merits. If De La Fuente [the head coach of the Spanish national team] was referring to me, I don’t feel alluded to,” Diaz said, commenting on the Spanish manager’s recent remarks.
Earlier this week, in the wake of relentless media reports about his “imminent final decision” to play for either Morocco or Spain, Diaz and his close circle confirmed the 24-year-old player’s choice of the Atlas Lions.
In his interview with the Spanish radio sports El Larguero, Diaz spoke at length about the “great” appreciation and affection that Spain and Morocco have shown him and described both nations as wonderful countries.
This feeling of being loved and valued in both countries created some sort of challenge for the player to make up his mind about his international career, Diaz’s grandmother, Dolores Bueno Bravo, told Spanish outlet ElDesmarque in a recent interview.
“Spain has called him but he is going to play for Morocco; his father and grandmother are from there [Morocco],” Bravo said, emphasizing that Diaz found it difficult to decide between Morocco and Spain.
Read also: Brahim Diaz Officially Among Regragui Squad for Morocco’s Friendlies
The Real Madrid player echoed this sentiment in his own interview, emphasizing his commitment to both aspects of his identity.
“I feel 100% Spanish and I feel 100% Moroccan. I grew up in Spain. If I have to score a goal for Spain, I’d be delighted, of course, but I’d also prefer to score for another national team,” Diaz said, describing himself as a player with Moroccan roots but raised and nurtured in Spain.
Diaz said he was one hundred percent sure of his decision to play for Morocco, explaining that he always decides with his heart and that was the case when he finally decided to represent the Atlas Lions.
“My decision has been made,” he further stressed, arguing that the affection and the project Morocco has shown him seem to be “very good” for his international career.
Diaz, who has impressed at Real Madrid this year, also spoke about his good performances and the support he has received from the club and fans as motivation to continue working hard to stay in the best possible shape “in the most demanding club in the world.” He said, “I think I’m in a great moment, I’m fulfilling a dream. The ball does not burn me, the pressure is not bad, and the fans’ affection is incredible.”
Asked if he had rushed his decision out of frustration at being ignored by the Spanish national team and if he might regret choosing Morocco, the Real Madrid star argued that he had made his decision with his heart and there was no need to look back.
“I have chosen and there is no need to give more laps. I am always grateful to everyone. You decide and do not look back,” he insisted, adding that no one had pressured him to choose Morocco.
