Issa Diop Set to Embrace a New Chapter with Morocco
Issa Diop, the talented defender currently playing for Fulham, is on the verge of a significant transition in his international football career. According to reports from Foot Mercato, Diop has made the decision to represent Morocco, a move that has been in consideration for several years. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has been actively trying to persuade the player, who has Moroccan roots through his mother and Senegalese heritage from his father, to join the Atlas Lions.
Born in 1997, Diop has a rich history of representing French youth teams, ranging from U16 to U21 levels. However, at 29 years old, he has now given his approval to switch his allegiance. If the necessary paperwork for this change of sporting nationality is completed in time, Diop could be included in Morocco's upcoming squad, with aspirations of participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup being a key motivator behind this decision.
A Career Steeped in Success
Diop's journey in professional football began at Toulouse FC, where he emerged as a prominent figure in their youth academy. He debuted in the professional realm alongside fellow player Alban Lafont and quickly became the club's highest transfer when he moved to West Ham United in 2018 for around €25 million. His time in the Premier League has been impressive, featuring in 121 matches for West Ham before transferring to Fulham in 2022, where he has already made 93 appearances, including 15 this season across all competitions.
Should he officially join the Moroccan national team, Diop may reunite with former Toulouse colleagues Amine Adli and Zakaria Aboukhlal, both of whom are currently part of the Atlas Lions squad. It is worth noting that neither Adli nor Aboukhlal were selected for the last Africa Cup of Nations. Furthermore, with recent changes in the national team's coaching staff, including the departure of Walid Regragui as head coach, the dynamics within the team may be shifting as Diop embarks on this exciting new chapter.
As reported by lesviolets.com.
