Costa's replacement could still play for Morocco - It's decision time for Munir

Posted Saturday, September 06, 2014 by Marca.com

Diego Costa has left the Spain camp and been replaced by young Barcelona striker Munir El Haddadi. Despite his tender age of just 19 and his competitive playing time of little over 100 minutes, he's still been given the nod.

The starlet's minimal experience at the highest level and in youth international football makes this call-up somewhat surprising, but there's a hidden reason. Vicente del Bosque's decision to pass up players such as Fernando Torres, Roberto Soldado and Fernando Llorente is based on fear.

He's scared of losing the player, because Munir has Moroccan roots. His father is from Morocco and the young striker could opt to play for the African side. Although he's already played for the Spain under-21s, he could still theoretically represent Morocco at senior level, since he's not actually taken part in any competitive international game. Del Bosque understands this and he wants the youngster for Spain.

It seems likely that Del Bosque will try to slot Munir in for next Monday's game against Macedonia, Spain's opening match in the qualification phase for the 2016 European Championship, whether he does so in the starting XI or even as a substitute in the closing stages.

If Munir sets foot on the pitch in Valencia, then he'll belong to 'La Roja' for life.