Sofiane Boufal: 5 interesting facts about the new Southampton signing

#3 Eligible for France, chose Morocco!

Boufal could’ve represented France, but instead chose to turn up for the country of his origin, Morocco.

Born on 17 September 1993, in the capital city of Paris to Moroccan parents, Boufal was naturally eligible to represent France. But in June 2014, the local media reported that the 21-year-old playmaker had decided to represent his country of origin, Morocco at the senior level before being ruled out of the Lions’ continental opener against Libya due to an injury.

Set to make his international debut against Sao Tome, Boufal was once again dropped for unknown reasons, with various sources suggesting he went back on his decision, terming it a mistake and expressing his desire to play for France.

With the sacking of head coach Badou Zaki and the arrival of Boufal’s former manager at Lille, Herve Renard at the helm, another change of heart prompted Boufal to pledge his loyalty to Morocco and he finally made his debut at Cape Verde in a 2017 African Cup of Nations qualification tie in March 2016.