Belgian Striker Talbi Chooses Morocco Over National Team Call-Up

"We’re not going to debate binational players today, but as we hear, there’s the prefix ’bi’, which means they have a choice. We have to respect their choice. We also have to question ourselves. With Vincent Mannaert, we’ve only been there for a short time to have had any influence on their choice. But yes, one of the two (Chemsdine Talbi and Kostantinos Karetsas) would have been in the selection. Good luck to them," Rudi Garcia reacted in a press conference after the publication of the list of 26 players called up for Belgium’s double confrontation against Ukraine in the Nations League.

The French coach tries to be understanding. He said he "attaches great importance to the patriotic fiber". "Whatever your age, your track record, you have to come running with the selection. It’s a pride to play for your country," he added.

Talbi preferred Morocco to Belgium after a complete career in the Belgian youth teams, from U15 to U18. The KRC Genk midfielder, also trained in Belgium (U15, U16, U17 and Espoirs), has turned his back on Belgium and chosen to join the Greek national team.