Spain miss out on Brahim Diaz! Real Madrid starlet pledges international allegiance to Morocco after growing tired of waiting for La Roja call from Luis de la Fuente

Diaz, born in Malaga to Spanish parents, had dreamed of representing La Roja his whole life but, having grown tired of waiting for a call from national team boss Luis de la Fuente, he has changed his mind - as per Marca's Juan Castro.

Castro details how the Moroccan Football Federation's president and Moroccan minister delegate for the budget, Fouzi Lekjaa, had put considerable effort in convincing Diaz to switch allegiance. Even after representing Spain at youth level, the Madrid player did not feel the same level of affection from La Roja and De la Fuente.

Spain will now miss out on the talents of Diaz, who at just 24-years-old, could still turn into one of the leading players at Real Madrid. Diaz has had a stop-start career so far, but is starting to showcase his obvious talent - epitomised by his stunner against RB Leipzig in the Champions League. Morocco, meanwhile, will gain a gem to add to their plethora of tricky, attacking players.

Diaz has qualified to represent the highest ranked African team in the world through his paternal grandfather, Brahim Diaz Abdelkader, who was born in Morocco. He will now play alongside fellow Spanish-born Moroccan superstar, Achraf Hakimi.

Diaz will have the opportunity to make his international debut for Morocco against Angola on 22 March if he is called up to the Atlas Lions' squad as expected. After the international break, Diaz will return to Madrid where they will resume their hunt for the La Liga title; they sit seven points clear after Sunday's victory against Celta Vigo.