Elies Diallo receives first France U17 call-up

Elies Diallo, a 16-year-old striker for Olympique de Marseille, has received his first call-up to the France U17 national team. Diallo is currently recognized as the top scorer in the U17 championship.

His selection has sparked discussion regarding his international eligibility, as he previously played for the Algeria U16 squad. While some observers viewed his decision to join the French national team as a setback for the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), Diallo’s mother has publicly defended the FAF and its talent scouts. She emphasized the quality of the support provided by the Algerian federation during his time with their youth ranks.