Dutch-Born Star Ihattaren Pledges Allegiance to Morocco, Snubs Netherlands National Team

"The Netherlands? Completely out of the question. I will play for the Moroccan national team 100%. Either I play for Morocco, or I won’t play any international matches," Ihattaren said in an interview with ESPN.

The Dutch striker of Moroccan origin, who joined Fortuna Sittard this summer after a short stint at RKC Waalwijk, has expressed his love for Morocco. "I am Moroccan by blood and I grew up in the Netherlands. The love I have received in Morocco from the people is very different. Wearing the orange jersey will never happen again!" he insisted.

Mohamed Ihattaren had played for the Netherlands’ youth categories, but has never joined the senior team. His choice regarding his sporting nationality is now clear. "When things weren’t going well, all of the Netherlands were against me. Here, you are seen as a Moroccan. And when things start to go well again, you are considered one of them (Dutch, editor’s note). That’s how I experienced it," he confided.