Barça defender Chadi Riad "immensely proud to be called up by Morocco"

Three days after scoring Barça Atlètic's winning goal against Nàstic, Chadi Riad received the news he had been waiting for a long time: a call-up to the Morocco senior national team. He will have the opportunity to make his debut in the friendlies against Brazil (on March 25 in Tangiers) and Peru (on March 28 in Madrid).

"I am so proud. It's something I've been dreaming about since I was very young and I'm very grateful for the trust the coach has placed in me. I'm really looking forward to representing the country of my parents," the centre-back said.

Chadi has been climbing the ladder in the national team that he always wanted to represent.

"I've been playing for Morocco for a long time, as I've felt Moroccan since I was a child. I've been there since the U-15s, where I won an important trophy, the African Olympics, and from there I've been working and moving up the ranks," he added.

Watching the World Cup

Morocco were the great sensation at the Qatar World Cup, knocking out Spain and Portugal and finishing fourth.

"Not many people knew about Moroccan football, but I can tell you that it is very intense," Chadi said. "Practically in every street in Morocco, you can see children playing.

"We have been growing in level little by little until we reached the semi-finals of a World Cup that I lived very intensely because I went to my aunt and uncle's house for every Morocco match to watch with my whole family, nervous and hoping for victory. I'm very proud of my country and the national team."

He is also very proud to be a member of FC Barcelona because "Barça are the most famous team in the world and in Morocco there are many people who dream of playing for this club. I'm very grateful to be one of the few who can wear this shirt."