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Barcelona's Ilaix Moriba Makes Shock Decision To Change National Team Allegiance At The Age Of 18

Barcelona's Ilaix Moriba Makes Shock Decision To Change National Team Allegiance At The Age Of 18

Ilaix Moriba's future with both club and country has been a huge talking point of late.

Barcelona youngster Ilaix Moriba has made an important decision on his future, having decided to play for the Guinea national team.

The 18-year-old is a Spanish citizen and has represented La Roja at various youth levels, including five appearances for the Under 17's side.

However, following his father's meeting with those high up in the Guinea football federation, Moriba will be representing his birth country going forward.

Image: PA
Image: PA

He had initially turned down their advances in 2017 but he has now effectively resigned from the Spanish national team and has made himself available for the African nation.

In fact, AS believe he could even be part of the squad for games against Guinea-Bissau and Morocco next month.

Moriba joined Barcelona from Espanyol in 2010 after moving to Spain as a youngster and progressed through the ranks before making his way into the first-team squad last season.

However, the player is currently in the midst of a contract stand-off with the club and some reports claimed he was demanding a mammoth pay rise that would see him earn more than €100,000-per-week.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Barca are struggling financially as it is and manager Ronald Koeman publicly called out Moriba and his representatives.

"Ilaix? I spoke with Ilaix Moriba 2 or 3 weeks ago, more as a person than as a coach," the Dutchman said.

"His situation is horrible because he's only 18 years old, he is the future of the club and I know that the club love him.

"My advice is that money is not the most important thing.

"The truth is that I'm disappointed in him (Moriba) and his agents. I believe more in football than in money."

On Instagram, Moriba responded to his manager's comments by posting a quote to his story that translates to: "Thousands of rumours and nobody knows the truth."

With the matter still not resolved, Barca are not allowing Moriba to play and he was not even named on the bench for the club's B side earlier this month.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football, Barcelona, Spain, Ronald Koeman