Spain continue youth recruitment drive with Matias Fernandez-Pardo close to switching allegiance from Belgium
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is continuing its youth recruitment drive after submitting documents that would allow Lille's Matias Fernandez-Pardo to represent the country at international level.
The 20-year-old has played for Belgium at youth level but qualifies to play for Spain through his father. He was born in Brussels but has also lived in Spain and has a Spanish passport.
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The RFEF has worked together with Fernandez-Pardo's camp on changing his sporting nationality, and the official documentation has been sent to FIFA to enable the registration process.
It is anticipated he will be called up by Spain's Under-21s for March's international break.
The RFEF has also contacted the Belgian Football Association to request documents recording the matches Fernandez-Pardo has played at youth level.
The registration of Fernandez-Pardo follows Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, 19, and Leeds United forward Mateo Joseph, 21, committing their international future to Spain last year. Huijsen had represented the Netherlands at youth level, and Joseph had played 10 times for England's Under-20s.
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Dean Huijsen and the pass that proves how valuable he is to Bournemouth
Fernandez-Pardo joined Lille from Genk in a €12million (£9.96m; $12.6m) move in the summer of 2024, having previously been part of the French club's academy. He has made 12 Ligue 1 appearances this season, providing one goal and one assist.
A versatile forward player, the RFEF believes Fernandez-Pardo has great potential.
He represented Belgium at youth level between 2020 and 2023 and was also eligible to play for Italy, but told Spanish newspaper Marca in December: 'I want to play for Spain, no doubt.'
The changing of Fernandez-Pardo's sporting nationality means he would be unable to change his national team again, as per FIFA regulations.
(Valery Hache/AFP via Getty Images)
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