Mohammed El Haddadi has said that his son Munir would have played for Morocco if they had called first.
The Barcelona youngster was born in Spain but is also eligible to play for Morocco, the country of his father’s birth, and made his La Roja debut in the 5-1 European Championship qualifier win over Macedonia on Monday.
However, Mohammed told Onda Cero’s Primer Toque programme that his son would have represented whichever country had contacted him first.
“My son said to me ‘father I don’t know what I’m going to do’. I told him to go with whoever calls you first.
“They [Spain] called first and he went with them. If Morocco had called he would also have gone there. I’ve always said to him it is whoever opens the door first.
“But I am very happy for him. I didn’t know he was going reach here and I didn’t think it would happen so fast, but it has happened and it went well.
“I realised he had the talent to be a footballer when he went to Barcelona. The only thing I ask is that God helps him, nothing more,” he added.
His son was equally delighted following the Macedonia win and insisted the decision to join up with Spain was his alone.
“I feel very good. It’s a dream come true and now I must continue to work hard with my club. Playing for Spain was my decision and I’m very happy about that.
“I don’t care what people say. I do what is best for me and that is this,” he told reporters.
