As Monaco travel to Lorient in Ligue 1 Uber Eats, we take a look at the rise of young star Eliesse Ben Seghir, who was recently called up to the Morocco national team by Walid Regragui
It has been an eventful few days for the 18-year-old attacker. After scoring against Strasbourg to help Les Monégasques come away with a win (1-0) last weekend, Eliesse Ben Seghir this week was called up to the Morocco national team squad by Walid Regragui for the first time. He even turned down the French national team to do so.
"I have had the chance to play for two big footballing nations," explained the youngster in a press conference earlier this week. "It was a difficult choice but one that I deeply considered. I made this choice because of my origins; my parents are Moroccan."
It culminates a steady rise for the midfielder, who recently signed a three-year contract extension with Monaco in January. Ben Seghir made a huge impression on his debut last year for ASM, scoring two goals in a victory over Auxerre (3-2) after only entering the pitch at half-time as a substitute. He burst onto the scene as Monaco's youngest-ever player to score a brace, and as the club's fifth youngest player to score a single goal.
Buoyed by an international call-up to the Atlas Lions as well as his recent good form for ASM, Ben Seghir should be feeling confident going into a home clash against Lorient this Sunday (15:00 CET) as Monaco keep searching for the Champions League positions.
Monaco's, and now Morocco's rising Atlas star
He then went on last season to feature in 19 matches for Les Monégasques, with a total of four goals and one assist in a struggling Monaco side in Ligue 1, whilst featuring in three games in the UEFA Europa League. This season, Ben Seghir has played less in a more competitive side under Adi Hütter, as well as having struggled with injury. Yet, the midfielder has appeared in eight matches and scored his first goal of the season against Strasbourg last weekend.
"I admit that my goal in Strasbourg came as a bit of relief for me! Once again, I'm here to help the team, and this goal gave us the three points, so that's great," said the youngster earlier this week.
Buoyed by an international call-up to the Atlas Lions as well as his recent good form for ASM, Ben Seghir should be feeling confident going into a home clash against Lorient this Sunday (15:00 CET) as Monaco keep searching for the Champions League positions.
