Preferring Morocco over Senegal… the “beast” that will solve the “lions” problem.

The new coach of the Lions, Mohamed Wehbe, called Issa Diop, who played matches with the minor teams of the French national team, after the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) accepted his request to change his country to Morocco, and he took part in the first line that his teammates Achraf Hakimi agreed with the same goal against Ecuador in Madrid.

Analysts believe that Diop, who is smart in the Premier League, will solve the biggest problem of the Moroccan national team, which is the low level of defense.

He preferred Morocco to Senegal

And he was born Diop In 1997, he has a Moroccan mother and a Senegalese father. He comes from a football line, as his grandfather, Lebas Diop, was the first Senegalese to play well in the French League.

Issa Diop’s election caused a stir Morocco Senegal has faced many controversies in football circles, especially after the preference of the “lions of Atlas” instead of the “lions of Tiranga” has joined the controversy that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is removing the title of the Africa Cup of Nations from Senegal, seeing that it is a loser with three goals to zero, and giving the cup to Morocco following the events that happened on January 18.

Diop, who plays in defense, expressed his satisfaction in playing his first game in the “Lion” shirt, adding to his first outing after choosing Morocco: “I was happy to play in a team with many famous players, and I think I made the right decision,” according to what was reported by the Moroccan media.

Diop spoke with Mohamed Wehbe and the president of the Moroccan Football Federation, Fawzi Lakjaa, and added: “They explained their vision to me, and the players welcomed me very warmly in a wonderful atmosphere in the camp.”

“The Beast” special tour

Diop’s professional career began with French club Toulouse in 2015, and his height of 1.94 meters set him apart, making him one of the strongest defenders in the air and in collisions.

Diop rose to Toulouse and became its captain in 2017, but he moved to English West Ham in 2018 for 22 million pounds.

The Portuguese coach, Jose Mourinho, when he coached Manchester United, described him as a “monster” who dominated the conflicts between them.

In 2022, Diop moved to Fulham with a 5-year contract, and this season he achieved impressive statistics in the 15 games he played.

Internationally, Diop represented all age groups in the French national team, right up to the youth team, but he had never been with the first team.

Senegal and Morocco tried to join him in the past years, but he preferred to wait, but the approach of the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and the departure from the account of coach Didier Deschamps, made him reevaluate his choices and choose to represent Morocco.

Diop joined the “Lion” at a critical time when the Moroccan national team is preparing to change its system under the new management of Mohamed Wehbe, who replaced the former coach Walid Regragui.