Anas Slimani Receives His First National Team Nomination
Anas Slimani, at just 18 years old, has the exciting opportunity to represent Morocco in the U20 National Team, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning football career. However, the timing of this call-up is causing some unease at Fortuna Düsseldorf, where Slimani has recently started to catch attention with his impressive performances during his inaugural professional season in the 3rd Bundesliga. Although the club sees the nomination as a commendable achievement for the talented player, they also express concerns over the potential strain it could place on him.
Fortuna Düsseldorf's Concerns Over Slimani’s Involvement
As the club braces for five challenging friendly matches scheduled over a span of just 13 days, coach Alexander Ende has voiced his apprehensions regarding Slimani's workload. He emphasized the honor of playing for one’s country but highlighted the importance of assessing each player's situation individually. Ende noted that he would have preferred to keep Slimani at the club during this intense period, acknowledging the demanding nature of the games that the young athlete would be facing. The club has proactively communicated with the Moroccan Football Federation, requesting that they monitor Slimani's physical condition closely to avoid overexertion. Ende remarked, "I would have liked for Anas to take a breather right now instead of traveling, especially when the other players can train at a controlled pace. If it were up to me, I would not have sent him, but circumstances dictate otherwise. We hope that he is managed well and that we receive regular updates from the federation regarding his condition."
As reported by bild.de.
