Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz 'decides to represent Morocco over Spain'

The 24-year-old, who was born in Malaga to a Spanish mother and a Moroccan father, has only been capped once by the Spanish national team – scoring in a 4-0 friendly victory over Lithuania in June 2021.

Diaz had previously represented Spain from Under-17 to Under-21 level, making a total of 25 appearances and scoring five goals.

Although Diaz has dreamt of representing Spain at senior level, the attacker is said to have grown frustrated of waiting for a call-up from national team manager Luis de la Fuente.

According to The Athletic, Morocco have attempted to convince Diaz to play for them for the last five years, and the African nation have now managed to persuade the Real Madrid man to make the switch.

The report adds that the Spanish FA are yet to be formally notified of Diaz's decision to represent Morocco, while the Moroccan FA will be required to submit a request to FIFA to change the player's nationality.

Fouzi Lekjaa, the president of the Moroccan FA, as well as politicians from the country are said to have already visited Diaz to discuss his international future.

Despite making his aforementioned debut for Spain against Lithuania nearly three years ago, FIFA rules state that any player can switch their allegiance as long as they have made less than three senior appearances for one nation before the age of 21 and have not played for that country for at least three years.

According to ESPN, Diaz has been left disappointed by how the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have dealt with his situation, considering that they have acted differently towards other players.

ESPN sources