Barcelona's 16-year-old striker Ansu Fati, who has taken the footballing world by storm, is set to represent Spain at the international level after being granted Spanish citizenship.
Despite a sensational debut for Barcelona, Fati is yet to represent any country at the international level. The teenager has already scored two La Liga goals—against Osasuna and Valencia, including a brilliant assist.
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Fati was eligible to play for three countries, in fact—the West African country of Guinea-Bissau, where he was born; Portugal, since Guinea-Bissau is a former Portuguese territory; and Spain, where he had living since he was six and so, had completed the 10 years required for a Spanish citizenship.
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He can now represent Spain at the U-17 World Cup in Brazil next month. Spain's interior ministry oversaw the process and confirmed Fati's new passport. The deadline for the documentation was September 25—the day when the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have to announce their initial 50-player list for the World Cup.
If Fati is selected for the World Cup—which will be held from Oct 26-Nov 17—Barcelona will probably miss him for five weeks, should Spain advance. And that is something the club isn't too enthused about, according to reports.
Fati will be following in the footsteps of Brazil-born Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa who chose to represent Spain after being granted citizenship ahead of the 2014 World Cup.