Belgian-Moroccan Midfielder Weighs International Future Amid Interest from Both Nations

Called up in September last by Walid Regragui to join the Atlas Lions, El Ouahdi ultimately remained on the substitute bench. A situation that could push him to reconsider his options, especially since Domenico Tedesco, the Belgian coach, has publicly expressed his interest in the young talent.

Interviewed by Eleven Sports, El Ouahdi acknowledges that the call from the Red Devils puts him in a dilemma: "If I am called up... it will be a dilemma." For now, the right-back prefers to focus on his club and is taking his time: "the next selection is only in March." However, he does not close any doors: "But the door is clearly not closed."

This hesitation echoes the words of Walid Regragui on November 12. The Moroccan coach had then displayed a firm position towards the dual-national players tempted by a change of sporting nationality: "those who wish to play for another country are free to do so." Buoyed by the success of the Atlas Lions, semi-finalists of the last World Cup, Regragui is clear: "blackmail will never work."