Picture Credit: Twitter
Alejandro Garnacho has faced severe criticism from the media for choosing to represent Argentina instead of his birth country Spain. The 18-year-old played in Atletico Madrid's Youth Development system for his entire life in Spain until he enrolled in the Manchester United Academy in October 2020. Additionally, Garnacho had three appearances for the Spain under-18 squad in 2021. However, he now prefers to play for Argentina, where his mother's side of the family is from.
The talented young player, who received his first call-up to Lionel Scaloni's squad for their two World Cup qualifiers in March this year, decided that a chance to play with the World Cup-winning side was an offer he could not refuse. He has been trolled numerous times for choosing Argentina over his birthplace.
Recently in an interview with TyC Sports, Garnacho clarified his reasons for picking his allegiance towards Argentina. The 18-year-old Garnacho explained that the reason he plays for Argentina rather than Spain is primarily due to his mother. “I have always felt very close with my mother's family and we supported the Argentinian national team as a child. I did not doubt anything because I feel Argentinian, I am Argentinian,” he said in an interview.
He has also been ridiculed by the Spanish media previously for ‘faking an Argentinian accent”. They had claimed that he picks up the accent at ‘breakneck’ speed.
Alejandro’s most memorable performances include assisting Marcus Rashford on the game-winning goal in the Manchester derby triumph over Manchester City in January and scoring a stunning 93rd-minute winner as they won 2-1 against Fulham in the Premier League before the World Cup break last November.
The young international just agreed to a new five-year contract with the Reds that will keep him with the team until June 2028, but he was forced to skip the Under-20 World Cup because Erik ten Hag needed his services at the end of the season.
