Anwar El Ghazi has told ELF Voetbal why he decided to pick the Dutch national team over Morocco.
- By Michael Bell
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Hakim Ziyech and Sofyan Amrabat turned down a future in Oranje for Morocco but back in 2015, Anwar El Ghazi made a different choice.
The Lille winger, who has Moroccan parents, decided on an international career with the Netherlands, making his debut against Kazakhstan before facing Czech Republic. The only two caps the 22-year-old has earned so far.
On why he chose Netherlands, El Ghazi said, “I chose with my heart and mind then.
“It was a difficult choice Moroccans say: Your parents are from Morocco and you have Moroccan blood, you have to choose Morocco and Dutch people say: You were born here and grew up and have to choose Oranje. I saw more future for me (with Netherlands).
“In the family, the reactions were divided, my father would have preferred to see it differently, but that is behind me, I hope to come back to the Netherlands (squad) in the future.”
El Ghazi has scored four goals and contributed four assists in 27 appearances for Lille this season. He is currently injured and wasn’t included in Ronald Koeman’s preliminary squad named on Wednesday.
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