News of Adama Traore committing his international allegiance to Spain hasn’t been taken lightly in Bamako with the majority of Malians believing the winger used them to get an invitation to Spain’s national team.
Born in Mataro, the former Barcelona wide-man hasn’t been considered in Spain’s selections in recent seasons despite fielding for the European country at all youth levels.
There was belief matters could change if he sealed a move to the English Premier League, which he did with Wolverhampton Wanders, but it failed to seek him the attention of Spain’s coach.
In the interim, Traore had flirted playing for Mali where most had hoped he would enjoy regular international football and even posed with The Eagles’ replica jersey making majority of Malians to believe the winger is now one of their own.
This excitement vanished soon hours later after Spain’s FA announced Adama has been invited as injured Rodrygo’s replacement.
This development took most in Bamako by surprise and hence an outpouring of anger on twitter.
“We feel used by Traore,” Karamoko Sidibe said on social media to which another responded, “it’s despicable but certainly our national team needs to go some levels to invite talents like Adama.”
“We cannot do anything about it but Adama is like N’golo Kante –made us believe and then dumped us,” Mangane Traore said.
The powerful Wolves’ man is expected to feature in Spain’s qualifiers against Malta and Romania.