BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – Spain and Mali opted for Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Adama Traoré to play for their national teams.
Spanish coach Luis Enrique included Traoré in his squad on Friday for 3 upcoming matches, 3 days after Mali did the same.
Traoré said he was looking to play for Spain and had been included in the team’s previous lists, but injuries and his recent coronavirus infection prevented him from playing, leaving him still on the loose to play with Mali.
Because Traoré played for Spain in young people under the age of 21, he would want FIFA’s permission to replace his eligibility in Mali. On Friday, it was unclear whether the application had been made or whether FIFA had approved it. explains Traoré’s status as a foreigner without delay.
Luis Enrique said he hoped Traoré could make his debut for Spain, adding that it depends on the player in which country he will play.
“As far as I know from talking to the player, he needs to play for Spain,” Luis Enrique said. “Any player who needs to play in the national team, that’s not a problem. We have to respect the player’s opinion. “
Traoré was born in Spain to parents in the African country.
Mali included him in the team announced Tuesday for the friendly against Ghana on 9 October and Iran on 13 October to be played in Turkey.
Traoré said in an interview with Spanish sports brand in 2018 that he would rather play for Spain.
Teenager Ansu Fati will likely play for Spain in the upcoming League of Nations matches against Switzerland and Ukraine and in the friendly against Portugal.
Fati, 17, Spain’s youngest goal scorer last month helping Spain beat Ukraine 4-0. Since then, Fati has scored 3 goals for Barcelona at a sensational start to the season.
Fati had a first season last year with Barcelona when he broke several records.
Spain will face Portugal in Lisbon on Wednesday. Then, in the Nations League, they will meet Switzerland in Madrid on October 10 and Ukraine on October 13.
Spain leads the League of Nations Group with four points, Ukraine has 3 points, Germany two and Switzerland one.
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Spain:
Goalkeepers: David de Gea (Manchester United), Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao)
Defenders: Jess Navas (Sevilla), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Pau Torres (Villarreal), Diego Llorente (Leeds), José Luis Gayo (Valencia), Sergio Reguilon (Tottenham), Eric Garcia (City of Manchester)
Midfielders: Fabion Ruiz (Naples), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Rodrigo Hernandez (Manchester City), Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Dani Ceballos (Arsenal), Sergio Canales (Real Betis), José Campa’a (Levante)
Forwards: Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Adama Traoré (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Dani Olmo (Leipzig), Ansu Fati (Barcelona), Gerard Moreno (Villarreal), Ferran Torres (Manchester City)
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