Barcelona player Abdel Samad Zalzouli's announcement that he chose to represent the Spanish national team at the expense of his country, Morocco, caused an earthquake in the Moroccan football community, especially as the player revealed that he had received a Spanish passport, which will pave the way for him to represent the "La Roja" team in the future.
Today, Friday, the Moroccan newspaper (Al-Mukhtahab) reported that the Moroccan Football Association received a message from the player confirming that he did not join the "Atlas Lions" camp in the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon, and that he decided from now on to play for the Spanish national team after obtaining Spanish citizenship last Wednesday. And on a Spanish passport.
The newspaper also revealed that Zalzouli, aged 20, "refuses to carry the Moroccan national team shirt in the future, after he carried it in the age group of less than 20 years."
Khalilodjic, the coach of the Moroccan national team, had invited Zalzouli for the first time in a list of 28 players to participate in the upcoming African Cup of Nations finals, but the distinguished levels that the player presented with his club Barcelona encouraged the Spanish Football Federation to take advantage of his talent for the benefit of "La Roja". By granting him citizenship and a passport that enables him to accompany the rest of coach Luis Enrique's players in the future.