Guendouzi snubbed Morocco, he is not the only one

French international, Mattéo Guendouzi could have played for another selection. The OM player could have chosen Morocco as his sporting nationality. But the 23-year-old midfielder chose the French national team. He is not the only one to have made this choice, and it has been quite successful for some.

In the French team, they are many to have a dual nationality. It is notably the case of Mattéo Guendouzi. Having Moroccan origins, the midfielder of OM could have chosen to represent the Lions of the Atlasnone. But finally, the 23-year-old player opted for the blue tunic of the French team. Walid Regragui, coach of Morocco, also spoke about the choice of Mateo Guendouzi. “I liked (Matteo) Guendouzi, he chose France, it’s clear and congratulations to Luinone” he said in L’Equipe. But before him, other players have opted for the French sports nationality rather than Moroccan.

Rami crowned world champion with Les Bleus
We can think of Adil Rami. Formed in Fréjus before joining LOSC, the central defender could have played for Morocco. But it is France that he chose, and it has worked well for him. Adil Rami had the opportunity to represent the Bleusnone 36 times, to play two Euros (2012 and 2016) and then to be crowned world champion in 2018 under Didier Deschamps.

Kaboul also rejected Morocco, but…
Younes Kaboul, however, has not had the same international career. Having revealed himself at Tottenham, the defender honored his first selection in 2011, has worn the colors of France on five occasions in total and was in the pre-list for Euro 2012. Nevertheless, Younes Kaboul will be too often prone to injuries and will not have the chance to reappear with the Bleusnone thereafter.

Ben Larbi snubbed Morocco twice
But long before the two defenders, other players made the same choice as Mattéo Guendouzi. Larbi Ben Barek played for Morocco in 1935 and also played for OM and Atletico Madrid. But in 1938, he decided to represent France, before turning his coat once again in 1940. But in 1947, he finally chose to return to the French national team, which he represented 17 times during his career. Mattéo Guendouzi is not the first to have chosen the French team rather than Morocco.