Da Costa, a Moroccan lion of Portuguese origin

It is mostly pronounced that one’s nation is same to one’s mother, and this is positively a box for Manuel da Costa. The 32-year-old opted to play for Morocco, a nation of his mother’s birth, after progressing representing a girl teams of his father’s homeland, Portugal. Now, as predestine would have it, a general defender will face Portugal during his initial FIFA World Cupâ„¢.

Despite his Portuguese roots, Da Costa told FIFA.com in an disdainful talk that he is unapproachable to paint Morocco during Russia 2018. He also suggested that sentiments in his family would be churned when a dual teams block off during a Luzhniki Stadium on Wednesday – though usually for one day.

“Participating in a World Cup is something outrageous for me, as I’m representing my nation and my roots,” pronounced a French-born player. “It’s a large honour to wear a Moroccan shirt because, when we attend in this tournament, we are showcasing your nation and enlightenment to a world.”

Da Costa, who lined adult for a Atlas Lions for a initial time in 2014, added: “I was initial approached about personification for Morocco by [assistant coach] Mustapha Hadji. After a prolonged contention with him and a afterwards manager Badou Ezzaki, we was assured of Morocco’s devise and objectives, and given afterwards have had a honour of representing a country.”

Article source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/manuel-da-costa-mar-itw--354-wds-2961604