Manchester United teenager Zidane Iqbal will on Thursday step up onto the senior international scene when he makes his debut for Iraq.
The call-up to his national side comes as a reward for the 18-year-old’s impressive performances for United’s Under-23s side, which in turn led to him making his first-team debut in the Champions League earlier this season.
Iqbal is currently out in Asia after flying out to join up with his team-mates ahead of Iraq’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Iran in Tehran.
Having been with United’s academy at the age of nine, Iqbal had his pick of national sides to choose from – as well as being eligible for England, he could also represent Iraq, where his mother was born, or Pakistan, where his father was born.
“I’ve grown up in Manchester my whole life so I’d say I’m a proud Mancunian,” Zidane told United’s website.
“But I’m also proud of my heritage as well. I’m proud of being English, Pakistani and Iraqi.
“Me choosing to play for Iraq doesn’t mean I’m not a proud Mancunian or a proud Pakistani. I just feel this is the right opportunity for me as a player, the right step in my career and an honour, but it definitely doesn’t take away the fact that I’m a Mancunian and a Pakistani as well.”
Iqbal has already made history at United, having become the first British South Asian player to represent the club’s first team after coming off the bench against Young Boys back in December.
And as he makes his first steps in the international game, the teenager will be hoping he can inspire his side to this year’s World Cup in Qatar, with Iraq still in the hunt in their qualifying group.
“I’m very excited,” Iqbal added. “It’s another milestone I’m going to hit, my first-team debut for Iraq. I’m looking forward to it and it’s a big game, so hopefully, we can win.
“I feel that this is the right decision for me in my career. It’ll be such an honour to represent Iraq. My family are proud of me and I just feel that it’ll be a forward step in my career, playing in the World Cup qualifiers, in big games. It’ll be a massive honour.”
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