Al-Talibi: I chose Morocco out of personal conviction.

Moroccan international Shamseddine Talbi, a forward for English football club Sunderland, confirmed that his choice to represent the Moroccan national team was a heartfelt decision, noting that his family and cultural ties to Morocco played a crucial role in determining his international future, despite having previously represented Belgian youth teams.

Talbi stated in an interview with the British magazine "The National" that he found himself faced with a difficult choice between Morocco and Belgium after receiving interest from both national teams at the senior level, explaining that he needed a long time to think before making his final decision. He added, "I chose to represent Morocco because my heart led me to it; it was a personal decision linked to my family and identity."

The player also spoke about his first experience wearing the "Atlas Lions" jersey, confirming that representing the national team is completely different from playing for clubs. He said, "When you defend your country's colors, the feeling is different, especially when you have a choice between two countries. I knew my decision would please some and not satisfy others, but in the end, I had to choose what I felt was right for my career."

Talbi reminisced about his memories from the Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco a few months ago, considering that participating in the tournament was an important milestone in his career despite the limited playing minutes he received. He added, "It was a unique experience on both the sporting and human levels, and I learned a lot from it, even though things didn't go as we hoped."

Talbi expressed his pride in being part of the Moroccan national team preparing for the 2026 World Cup, stating that participating in the biggest global football event is a dream for any player. He continued, "It would be a great honor to represent Morocco in the World Cup at such a young age, especially since I play alongside some of the best players."

The player described the atmosphere within the Moroccan national team as familial, noting that the current group has succeeded in building strong bonds both on and off the field. He also revealed that the toughest defender he faced last season was Moroccan international Noussair Mazraoui, whom he considers one of the best players he has played against in the Premier League.

At the club level, Talbi expressed complete satisfaction with his first season at Sunderland after transferring from Club Brugge in Belgium during the last summer transfer window.

The Moroccan winger mentioned that he felt some anxiety before embarking on his Premier League experience, but he quickly adapted to the competitive atmosphere, affirming that football in England goes beyond the pitch to become part of the daily life of the fans.