Munir: "I'd like to play for Morocco at Russia 2018"
The current Alavés avoided focusing on Vicente Del Bosque's recent comments where the coach claimed he felt to blame for Munir not being elegible to play for the African nation.
Deportivo Alavés player Munir El Haddadi has again confessed of his desire to play for the Moroccan national side at the 2018 Russia World Cup next summer. The forward who holds both Spanish and Moroccan nationality admitted that he had received a call from the Moroccan FA (FRMF) and they stated that he had "the possibility of being able to play with Morocco" despite having represented Spain at first team level and they were doing "everything in their powers to make things happen".
Spain debut in 2014
The FRMF added that an appeal has been launched with no indication of a resolution date. Born to Moroccan parents in San Lorenzo del Escorial just north of Madrid, Munir represented Spain at youth level and made just one, brief appearance at full international level - in Spain's first Euro 2016 qualifier, against Macedonia on 8 September 2014. He came on a substitute on 77 minutes, replacing Koke in the 5-1 win.
He was on the pitch for 13 minutes and he has never played for Spain since, but that short and sweet debut means that, under FIFA regulations, he now cannot be naturalised to be able to play for any other national team - despite his pleas to change his sport nationality. In declarations published by Assabah, Munir said that he doesn't understand why his 13-minute appearance for Spain should count so much for world football's governing body.
No comment on Del Bosque declarations
The Alaves player also refused to cast a view on recent comments made by former Spain coach Vicente del Bosque who claimed that he was to blame for the situation by giving Munir his Spain debut. It's also ironic that both Spain and Morocco have been drawn together in the same group in Russia. Munir concluded stating that he plans to "keep growing as a player and admitted that his dream is to be involved with the best clubs in the world".
