Barcelona wonderkid Ansu Fati has been cleared to play for Spain after being granted Spanish citizenship by the country’s Interior Ministry.
Fati was born in Guinea-Bissau but, having moved to Spain at the age of six, is now eligible for citizenship having resided in the country for ten years.
He might also have been able to represent Portugal, as Guinea-Bissau is a former Portuguese territory and special arrangements are in place regarding the acquisition of Portuguese citizenship .
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But as soon as he became a Spanish national, the 16-year-old was immediately added to the long list for Spain’s U17 World Cup squad and is likely to make the final cut for the tournament which kicks off in Brazil on October 26.