It has been rumoured that an African starlet, who plays for Barcelona, is being pressured by Spain to reject a call-up for the Africa Cup of Nations.
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According to My Joy Online, the Royal Spanish Football Federation is hoping Barcelona youngster Abdessamad Ezzalzouli will snub his call-up to the Moroccan national team.
The 20-year-old winger was named in Morocco's squad for the upcoming tournament amid his arrival on the scene this season for the Catalan club under new manager Xavi Hernandez.
Ezzalzouli has reportedly impressed enough to earn plaudits within Spain's federation, with contrasting claims suggesting the promising star might reject his call-up to the Morocco fold in order to focus on club football.
The Atlas Lions, however, are thought to be working hard to ensure he accepts the invitation, despite the attacker having not yet featured for his country at any level to date.
Ezzalzouli reportedly moved to Spain from his country of birth when he was just seven years old, and began his professional career with Hercules.
Here are the 10 highest-ranked African nations in FIFA's latest rankings:
