Brahim Diaz: "If I score against Spain, I'll obviously be delighted"
Brahim Diaz stands by his decision to play for Morocco. The Real Madrid player has broken his silence in an interview.
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Morocco have landed a huge boost. Brahim Diaz has decided to play for the Atlas Lions. The Real Madrid player has been called up for the games against Angola (22 March) and Mauritania (26 March). The decision has drawn criticism in Spain, as he had played once for La Roja before turning 21, and Spanish media had reported that the Spain coach was counting on him for the upcoming Euros. Even so, the 24-year-old insists he has made his choice.
Elsewhere, some in Spain have claimed that Brahim Diaz put pressure on to be selected for La Roja, even using Morocco as a bargaining chip. The Madrid player flatly rejects that. "I have never forced the issue to play for Spain and I never will. I do my talking on the pitch. That's where you prove you're good and where merit builds up. If De La Fuente was referring to me, I don't feel targeted. At no point do I pressure or make demands of anyone. That's not me. I'm not that kind of person. I feel 100% Spanish and I feel 100% Moroccan. I grew up in Spain. If I have to score against Spain, I'll obviously be delighted, but I'd also prefer to score goals against another team. The love that Spain and Morocco have given me is huge; they are two wonderful countries", he said in an interview with El Larguero.
The project won him over
Brahim Diaz also explained what motivated his choice. "I have Moroccan roots (from my paternal grandmother), but I grew up in Spain (…) I can tell you I am 100% convinced by my decision. Who wouldn't want to be on the squad list of a team like Morocco? I always decide with my heart and it's the same this time. I'm a lad with dreams, it's simple. The affection and the project they showed me in Morocco seem very good to me. The decision has been made. Now there's no point thinking about what might have happened if… Nothing would have changed."
With Brahim Diaz, Morocco have a gem who can play as a 10, false 9, winger… in short, across the whole front line. This season with Real, he has 7 goals and 4 assists in 30 appearances in all competitions (15 starts). The Atlas Lions have reason to be pleased…
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