The Morocco national football team has received a major boost after reports emerged Monday that Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz has opted to represent the Atlas Lions instead of Spain.
Diaz, 24, had been expected to commit to Spain, the nation of his birth and for whom he has represented throughout various youth team levels from Under-17 to Under-21. The playmaker has even made one appearance for Spain's senior side, earning his sole cap in a friendly against Lithuania in 2021.
The former Manchester City player initially announced in January his plan to switch allegiance to Morocco but he was not called up to the Africa Cup of Nations squad due to a pre-existing agreement. However, in the weeks since, it was reported Diaz had had a change of heart, and after calls among Spanish fans and in the media for him to play for La Rojas, was expected to commit to the European giants.
Now Diaz has appeared to U-turn again and will reportedly become a Morocco international imminently after a few administrative details were resolved. Fifa rules state that players can change their international allegiance providing that they have made three or fewer senior appearances for one nation before the age of 21 and have not played for that team for at least three years.
Diaz, who has a Spanish mother and a Moroccan father, passes the criteria, and his switch to Morocco brings a five-year campaign by Moroccan football authorities to a successful conclusion.
Diaz is just the latest in a long line of high-profile footballers who have chosen to pursue international careers with national teams from the Mena region instead of taking up the option to represent a European country.
Here are some of the best active players who have previously made similar switches to Diaz.
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Spain)
Starting with one of the best players in the world, Hakimi was born in Madrid and came through the Spanish youth system. He went on to break into the Real Madrid senior squad but spent the second of his three years at the club on loan at Borussia Dortmund. Hakimi, now at Paris Saint-Germain and arguably the best right-back in the world, committed to Morocco early, making his international debut for the Atlas Lions in 2016 when he was still part of Real Madrid's Castilla reserve squad.
While Hakimi was eligible to play for Spain, both of his parents are Moroccan and he has always stated that representing Morocco was his first and only choice. He was a star for the Atlas Lions during their historic run to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Hakim Ziyech (Morocco / Netherlands)
Another hero of Morocco's 2022 World Cup campaign, Ziyech was born in Dronten, Netherlands and spent the majority of his career to date in Dutch football. Both his parents are Moroccan having emigrated to the Netherlands in the 1960s. Ziyech came through the Heerenveen academy and appeared for the senior team, before moves to Twente and Amsterdam giants Ajax.
The Chelsea winger, currently on loan at Galatasaray, represented the Netherlands at under-20 and under-21 level, and was called up to the senior squad for friendlies in May 2015. However, he decided to represent Morocco and made his debut in October 2015. Ziyech's international career has been somewhat turbulent; he clashed with former manager Vahid Halilhodzic and announced his retirement in 2022, but was brought back into the setup by current coach Walid Regragui ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
Chadi Riad (Morocco / Spain)
One of the most exciting young defenders in European football, Riad was born in Palma and has spent his entire career in Spanish football, save for one year as a youth player in the United States. The 20-year-old Barcelona player is on loan at Real Betis, and is expected to stake a claim in the Barca squad next season.
Riad, whose parents are Moroccan, has represented Morocco throughout youth level, from under-17 to under-23, helping the country win the U23 Africa Cup of Nations title in January last year. While he was eligible to play for Spain, Riad made his senior Morocco debut in January and is tipped for a bright future at both club and international level.
Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco / Netherlands)
One of the players of the tournament at the 2022 World Cup, Amrabat was eligible to represent the Netherlands due to being born in the country and spending his early career in Dutch football. The midfielder, currently on loan at Manchester United from Fiorentina, represented the Netherlands at under-15 level but switched to Morocco at under-17 and has been in the setup ever since.
Amrabat, whos parents are Moroccan, made his Morocco debut in 2017 when he was still a Feyenoord player, and he has gone on to play for the Atlas Lions 55 times. His performances in Qatar saw a surge in interest for his services from some of Europe's biggest clubs, and he joined United last summer on loan.
Amine Adli (Morocco / France)
Part of Bayer Leverkusen's stunning Bundesliga campaign, Adli was born in Beziers, France and came through the Toulouse youth academy, making him eligible to represent France.
However, after turning out for France at under-18 and under-21 level, the winger committed his international career to Morocco, the nation of his parents, and he made his senior debut last year.
Rayan Ait-Nouri (Algeria / France)
Ait-Nouri is enjoying the best season of his career at Wolves, and the full-back was eligible to represent France; he was born in Montreuil and came through the Angers ranks. The 22-year-old played for France's under-18 and under-21 teams, but switched to represent Algeria at senior level and made his debut in March 2023.
Ait-Nouri, who has been a key player for Wolves since joining the Premier League club initially on loan in 2020, has made five appearances for Algeria.
Houssem Aouar (Algeria / France)
Aouar had been earmarked for a bright future for France when he made his debut in October 2020 as a 22-year-old. A star for boyhood club Lyon, whom he helped reach the Champions League semi-finals in 2020, the midfielder decided to shun his country of birth to instead represent his parent's country, Algeria.
“It represents a lot to me. In all honesty, after choosing to play for France I regretted it and then I felt for me personally I hadn’t made the best choice," Aouar said in an interview with the Algerian Football Federation after he committed to the team last year.
Ismael Bennacer (Algeria / France)
One player who was eligible to play for three national teams – and one all three would be happy to have represent them. Bennacer has established himself as one of the best midfielders in Serie A, playing a key role in AC Milan's scudetto triumph last season in 2022.
Bennacer, who was born in France to a Moroccan father and an Algerian mother, represented Les Bleus at youth level but was convinced by the Algerian Football Federation to commit his international career to Algeria. The 26-year-old midfielder made his Algeria debut in 2016 and helped the team win the 2019 Afcon title.
Riyad Mahrez (Algeria / France)
Like international teammate Bennacer, Mahrez was also eligible for France and Morocco, before he committed to Algeria. Born in Sarcelles, in the northern suburbs of Paris, the winger spent the first five years of his senior career in France before moving to Leicester City, whom he helped win their improbable Premier League title in 2016.
Mahrez, whose mother is of Algerian and Moroccan descent and whose father was Algerian, was something of a late bloomer and by the time France may have been interested in his services, he was already an established player for Algeria. The Al Ahli star, who spent five trophy-filled years at Manchester City, was a star in Algeria's 2019 Afcon triumph.
Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia / France)
Talked about as a future star for Manchester United, Mejbri was born in Ivry-sur-Seine on the outskirts of Paris and represented France at under-16 and under-17 level. However, both of his parents are Tunisian and the midfielder decided to commit his international career to Tunisia, making his debut in June 2021.
Currently on loan at Sevilla, the 21-year-old Mejbri was selected for the Tunisia squad for the 2022 World Cup but opted out of squad selection for the delayed 2023 Afcon to secure his club future. He is expected to be a cornerstone of the team for the next generation.
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Related
Despacito's dominance in numbers
Released: 2017
Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon
Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube
Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification
Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.
Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards
The specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 849Nm
Range: 456km
Price: from Dh437,900
On sale: now
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
The biog
Favourite hobby: I love to sing but I don’t get to sing as much nowadays sadly.
Favourite book: Anything by Sidney Sheldon.
Favourite movie: The Exorcist 2. It is a big thing in our family to sit around together and watch horror movies, I love watching them.
Favourite holiday destination: The favourite place I have been to is Florence, it is a beautiful city. My dream though has always been to visit Cyprus, I really want to go there.
More from our neighbourhood series:
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Sunday's Super Four matches
Dubai, 3.30pm
India v Pakistan
Abu Dhabi, 3.30pm
Bangladesh v Afghanistan
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
Q&A with Dash Berlin
Welcome back. What was it like to return to RAK and to play for fans out here again?
It’s an amazing feeling to be back in the passionate UAE again. Seeing the fans having a great time that is what it’s all about.
You're currently touring the globe as part of your Legends of the Feels Tour. How important is it to you to include the Middle East in the schedule?
The tour is doing really well and is extensive and intensive at the same time travelling all over the globe. My Middle Eastern fans are very dear to me, it’s good to be back.
You mix tracks that people know and love, but you also have a visually impressive set too (graphics etc). Is that the secret recipe to Dash Berlin's live gigs?
People enjoying the combination of the music and visuals are the key factor in the success of the Legends Of The Feel tour 2018.
Have you had some time to explore Ras al Khaimah too? If so, what have you been up to?
Coming fresh out of Las Vegas where I continue my 7th annual year DJ residency at Marquee, I decided it was a perfect moment to catch some sun rays and enjoy the warm hospitality of Bab Al Bahr.
Women%E2%80%99s%20T20%20World%20Cup%20Qualifier
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20fixtures%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E25%20April%20%E2%80%93%20Ireland%20v%20UAE*%3Cbr%3E27%20April%20%E2%80%93%20UAE%20v%20Zimbabwe**%3Cbr%3E29%20April%20%E2%80%93%20Netherlands%20v%20UAE*%3Cbr%3E3%20May%20%E2%80%93%20UAE%20v%20Vanuatu*%3Cbr%3E5%20May%20%E2%80%93%20Semi-finals%3Cbr%3E7%20May%20%E2%80%93%20Final%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20squad%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEsha%20Oza%20(captain)%2C%20Al%20Maseera%20Jahangir%2C%20Avanee%20Patel%2C%20Heena%20Hotchandani%2C%20Indhuja%20Nandakumar%2C%20Kavisha%20Kumari%2C%20Khushi%20Sharma%2C%20Lavanya%20Keny%2C%20Mehak%20Thakur%2C%20Rinitha%20Rajith%2C%20Samaira%20Dharnidharka%2C%20Siya%20Gokhale%2C%20Suraksha%20Kotte%2C%20Theertha%20Satish%2C%20Vaishnave%20Mahesh.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E*Zayed%20Cricket%20Stadium%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E**Tolerance%20Oval%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: BorrowMe (BorrowMe.com)
Date started: August 2021
Founder: Nour Sabri
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce / Marketplace
Size: Two employees
Funding stage: Seed investment
Initial investment: $200,000
Investors: Amr Manaa (director, PwC Middle East)
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
