Morocco: called up by Regragui, Ibrahim Salah is on cloud nine

Ibrahim Salah is overjoyed. He is set to win his first cap for the Moroccan national team. Walid Regragui has called up the Stade Rennais winger for the friendlies against Brazil on 25 March and Peru three days later. The 21-year-old is still on cloud nine after the publication of Regragui's squad. "First of all, it's a source of pride and an honour. To be honest, I'm so surprised that the emotions are overwhelming me. I have tears in my eyes," exclaimed the Saint-Josse-ten-Noode (Belgium) native to the Moroccan website Le 360.

He continued: "It has always been a goal and a dream. Now I have to stay focused. It's time to work. I'll do everything I can not to let my country down. I chose Morocco out of pride, out of honour and to make my parents proud." Born in Belgium, the 21-year-old could have played for the Red Devils. But Salah has always favoured his country of origin. "I told the club that even if Belgium picked me for a provisional squad and Morocco didn't call me, I wouldn't go to Belgium. It's a choice of the heart," he explains. "I'll give everything for Morocco, it's my country."

On the same subject: the surprises in Regragui's squad to face Brazil and Peru

On his first call-up, Ibrahima Salah will take on Brazil, one of the best football nations in the world. And the player can hardly believe it. "It's incredible, for a first cap, to play against a team like Brazil. But we have a team with plenty of potential. We must keep working well and stay united. We have a lot of quality and a good mentality in the group."

Welcome to our new players in the Team 🦁🇲🇦#DimaMaghrib #AtlasLions #TeamMorocco pic.twitter.com/Ed8t0Nl2yl

— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) March 13, 2023