Report: Barca Star Rejects AFCON Call-Up
01 January, 2022
It has been claimed that an emerging Barcelona starlet has rejected the chance to represent an African country despite being called up for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
According to Sport, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, who also goes by "Ez Abde", has turned down a call-up by Morocco ahead of the AFCON in Cameroon next month.
The 20-year-old reportedly wants to focus on club football amid his recent promotion to the Blaugrana first team following the appointment of Xavi Hernandez as manager.
Abde was born in Morocco but has dual citizenship after moving to Spain as a child, with it being thought that he has aspirations of representing La Furia Roja in the future.
The player was named in the African country's squad for the upcoming tournament, but, as it has been reported, he has chosen to continue working hard for a regular place in Xavi’s plans.
It was suggested earlier this week that the Royal Spanish Football Federation has kept close tabs on him and have been hopeful that he would reject the invitation to join up with the Atlas Lions.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za