An in-form Real Madrid star has revealed why he made the decision to represent an African nation on the international stage instead of Spain.
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Last week, Los Blancos forward Brahim Diaz accepted a call-up to the Morocco national team just days after reports suggested he had decided to play for the Atlas Lions.
Diaz, who qualifies to represent the north African giants through his father, has turned out for Spain on one occasion in the past, but has not been picked by La Furia Roja since the end of 2021.
Speaking recently, the 24-year-old said he was impressed with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation's pitch to him, and has suggested nothing he did was going to improve his prospects of playing more regularly for Spain.
"I always decide with my heart and that's how it was this time too," he told former Real player Jorge Valdano during a tell-all interview, according to SB Nation.
"I'm a boy with dreams, simple. The affection and the project that they have showed me in Morocco seems very good to me. The decision has been made.
"Now it's no longer worth thinking about. What would have happened if... I wasn't going to change anything. I wasn't thinking about whether or not Luis de la Fuente called me to make this decision."
The former Manchester City player continued by insisting he is certain he has made the correct call.
"I feel 100% Spanish and I feel 100% Moroccan. I have grown up in Spain. If I have to score a goal against Spain, I will be delighted, of course, but I would also prefer to score goals against another team," he added.
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"The love that Spain and Morocco have given me is very big, they are two wonderful countries. I have Moroccan roots, but I grew up in Spain. Would I celebrate a goal against Spain? Right now, I don't know what to tell you, but I will tell you that I am 100% convinced of my decision."
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