Posted by Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Adama Traore is caught in the center of an imbroglio between Spain and Mali.
Adama, who was born in L’Hospitalet, a municipality of Spain to Malian parents is eligible to play for Spain and Mali.
The 24-year-old, who had already featured for Spain at youth level (U16, U17, U19 and U21) and in November 2019 declared his intention to represent Mali caught the attention of Spanish manager Roberto Moreno.
He was handed a call up to the Spain national team for their Euro qualifiers against Malta and Romania in November 2019. However, he failed to honor the call-up due to an injury.
In January 2020, Adama publicly declared that he had not decided between Spain and Mali. He told BBC Sport: “My mentality is to work for the team and the performance for the team gives me half a chance with two international teams and I am happy for that.
“I am grateful [to have the chance] with the two international teams – Spain where I was born and Mali where my origins are.”
In August 2020, Traore was again called up ahead of Spain’s September UEFA Nations League matches against Germany and Ukraine. However, he was removed from the squad after testing positive for COVID-19.
The long-standing drama doesn’t seem to end soon and has taken a different turn, Adama has now been summoned by the Mali Football Federation for their two friendly matches with Ghana and Iran next Month.
The Winger has as well been called up by Spain for their friendly with Portugal and two Nations League clashes with Switzerland and Ukraine.
As it stands, it is unclear which jersey Adama Traore will be wearing in October but time will tell.