Abde, summoned with Morocco

Almost three months after Ex Abde gave up playing the African Cup with Morocco and expressed his desire to play with Spain, Barcelona’s left winger has been called up by the Moroccan team for the World Cup qualifiers in Qatar, which will take place next 25 and March 29 against the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The decision is now final: Abde will play with Morocco.

The decision has caused uncertainty in the RFEF. As AS learned, Abde was part of Luis de la Fuente’s plans to be called up to the U-21s in this international break, but the player permanently changed his plans a week ago, almost without warning, which disrupted the plans of the coach, who was counting on him.

There are several factors that have made Abde change his mind. The first is that Morocco has the opportunity to play with the senior team and fight for a place in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while with Spain, the road to be in a great tournament was much longer, after passing through the U-21.

His experience with Barcelona has also influenced. Since the arrival of Xavi and more with the reinforcements of the winter market, Abde has returned to the discipline of Barcelona B. The one from Beni Mellal gave up the African Cup precisely to try to enter and stay in the first team, but the arrival of multiple reinforcements in his position has meant that the moment of settling in the first team has to wait a little longer. Thus, at 20 years old, he has decided not to miss the train of the Moroccan absolute and try to be in Qatar.

After being a substitute against Atlético de Madrid, Espanyol and Valencia, Abde has not been called up again in the League or in the Europa League. Now, what keeps him away from the lists is his injury. A patellar tendinopathy makes him indefinitely low, so that he can add minutes with Morocco is ruled out in any case.

The winger, who is beginning his recovery, closes Vahid Halihodzic’s list of 23. Bono, El Kajoui and Reda Tagnaouti are the goalkeepers; Achraf Hakimi, Alakouch, Attiat Allah, Adam Masina, El Yamq, Mmaee, Chakla, Aguerd, Saïss are chosen for the rear; Amrabay, Fayçal Fajr, Jabrane, Louza, Amallah, Ounahi and Chair are the midfielders and up top, along with Abde, will be Munir El Haddadi, Boufal, En-Nesyri, Ryan Mmae, El Kaabi and Tissoudali.