Barça let Abde play & he stars for Morocco in U23 African Cup of Nations

Initially, Barcelona asked Ez Abde not to play in Morocco's match against Ghana on Tuesday 27 June, but in the end the player and club reached an agreement so that the winger could start and captain his nation in the second match of the group stage of the U-23 African Cup of Nations. 

Abde played a key role in the 5-1 win over Ghana, assisting the first goal and scoring the fourth at the start of the second half before being substituted in the 73rd minute.

The winger, who has been on loan at Osasuna all season, also played a key role in his side's victory in the opening game against Guinea, scoring a brace from the penalty spot in a 2-1 victory. 

Barça did not want to take any risks. He has been called up for pre-season training with the first team. Xavi wants to see him and decide what to do with him and an injury now would complicate his continuity and, in turn, a possible departure. 

The player, who already played with the Moroccan senior team in the last World Cup in Qatar, previously pulled out of a national team callup in the Africa Cup of Nations, which was played last year between January and February in 2022.

Abde decided at that time that the best thing for him was to take advantage of the opportunity that had presented itself at Barça.

Morocco want the trophy

In the third edition of this competition and after becoming the first team on the continent to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup, the Moroccan national team wants to win the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations for the first time. And to do so, they need the Azulgrana, their star player and top player. 

Chadi Riad, bench

The Moroccan central defender of Barça Atlètic is also part of the team, but in his case, he did not play in the first match and in the second one he did not start either.