Seven things to know about young Spanish forward Munir.
Spain manager Vicente del Bosque raised some eyebrows when he chose his replacement for the injured Chelsea striker Diego Costa, who was withdrawn from the La Roja squad ahead of a clash with FYR Macedonia, with del Bosque having called up Barcelona teenager Munir El Haddadi to the senior squad for the first time.
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With 19 year-old Munir being a relative unknown, here are seven things we think that you need to know:
He is the one that got away for Atletico Madrid
Munir is not one of the local youngster to emerge from Barcelona’s much-vaunted La Masia set-up – he comes from El Escorial, from just outside Madrid, and played for Atletico as a teenager before being allowed to slip through the net. He is already starting to show the current La Liga champions what a mistake they made in letting him move on.
He tore up the UEFA Youth League
Munir’s performances for Barcelona in the UEFA Youth League have been nothing short of remarkable – the teenager finished the tournament with 11 goals in 10 games, including braces against Ajax, Milan, FC Copenhagen and in the competition’s final against Benfica.
He has been on the radar of the likes of Arsenal and Bayern Munich
He may seem like something of an unknown, but Munir has been on the radar of a number of top clubs, having been linked with a move to Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain in early 2014.
He has been fast-tracked for both Barcelona and Spain
One of the defining factors of Spanish youth development tends to be the amount that young players are brought through the youth levels for both club and country – but that is not entirely the case with Munir. He has been fast-tracked to senior level, making just 11 appearances for Barcelona B and three for the Spain Under 19 side – although he has scored goals for both.
He has only just been called into the Spain Under 21 side
Munir has only just been called into the Spain Under 21 side that has seen so many wonderful footballers pass through – having received the call from manager Albert Celades on 29th August. He made his debut and, within days, was called into the senior side by Vicente del Bosque – the 19 year-old’s potential is almost boundless.
He already has a La Liga goal to his name
Munir may have made just two senior La Liga appearances for Barcelona – but he has already scored a goal in the Spanish top flight, neatly finishing off the second goal for his side on their opening day victory over Elche this season at the Nou Camp.
He once scored 32 goals in 29 games
During his time as a youth player with Atletico Madrid, Munir once scored 32 goals in 29 games when on loan at lower league side CF Rayo Majadahonda, initially attracting the attention of Barcelona with his prolific form.