Messi Selects Rising Stars for Adidas Campaign, Including Monaco’s Ben Seghir

Adidas’ promotional video features Messi, who has chosen the 10 other starters to make up a team of 11 players. In addition to Eliesse Ben Seghir, Lamine Yamal, the Moroccan-Spanish star of FC Barcelona, Vicky Lopez, of FC Barcelona, Antonio Nusa, Assan Ouedraogo, Jaedyn Shaw, Cavan Sullivan, Joel Ndala, Kenan Yildiz and Claudi Echeverri were also designated by the Argentine star. "Chosen not by chance, but by greatness. Here are the 10," Adidas wrote. These young talents will receive crampons specially designed for the German equipment manufacturer, in collaboration with La Pulga, the Messi Triunfo Estelar.

Recently, Ben Seghir chose Morocco as his sporting nationality and is happy to be part of the Atlas Lions squad. "The choice of Morocco did me a lot of good, because it’s complicated to play when there’s an important decision to make. It freed my mind. Whether here in Monaco or in Morocco, I have the coach’s trust and I’ve joined a World Cup semi-finalist team, I’m very happy with this choice. Playing with this selection brings me another tactical aspect since the game in Africa is different from Europe, so my palette is wider," he said.

The 19-year-old player is adapting under good conditions. "I was welcomed by Achraf Hakimi or Nayef Aguerd in particular and I get along well with everyone. Adi Hütter is very different from Walid Regragui, it’s ideal for progress, I take everything that has to be taken. Morocco has incredible supporters, we managed to fill a stadium at the Games. Fighting for this country is incredible," he added.