Morocco coach Mohamed Wahbi has not contacted Feyenoord striker Shaqil van Persie or his father Robin despite reports linking the teenager with a possible future call-up to the Atlas Lions, a source close to the player has told WinWin.
The 19-year-old forward has attracted attention because of his progress with Feyenoord and his Moroccan heritage through his mother, Bouchra van Persie.
However, reports suggesting that the Moroccan national team has already made contact with the young striker do not reflect the current situation, according to information obtained by WinWin from a source close to Shaqil and his father.
The source confirmed that there has been no communication between Wahbi and the player or between the coach and Robin van Persie.
The source categorically denied any contact between the “Atlas Lions” coach and the young striker or his father, stressing that talk of official communication or deciding the international player’s future does not reflect the current situation.
Shaqil remains a player with options at international level because of his background. His mother, Bouchra, has Moroccan roots, giving him the possibility of representing Morocco, while his Dutch nationality and development within the Dutch football system also leave the Netherlands as an option.
The striker comes from one of the most recognisable football families in the Netherlands. His father, Robin van Persie, was a leading figure in Dutch football and remains the second-highest scorer in the history of the Netherlands national team.
Shaqil has followed a similar path by developing his career at Feyenoord, where he has begun making appearances with the first team.
The teenager has featured in every match so far at the beginning of the new Dutch league season, although an injury previously interrupted his progress.
His performances have nevertheless provided encouraging signs, particularly his movement around the penalty area and his instinct in front of goal.
Those qualities have helped draw attention to his development as he attempts to establish himself at senior level.
His potential international future has also attracted interest because Morocco are looking for attacking options for the years ahead, particularly in the centre-forward position.
Despite that need, there has been no approach from the Moroccan coach to Van Persie at this stage.
The absence of contact means the striker’s international future remains unresolved. No decision has been made regarding whether he will eventually choose Morocco or the Netherlands.
For now, his focus remains on continuing his development at Feyenoord, where his progress at first-team level could play an important part in determining the next stage of his career.
The possibility of playing for Morocco remains open because of his family background, while the Netherlands remains another potential destination because of his nationality and footballing upbringing.
Any decision about his international future will therefore come later, with no indication from the information available that Morocco have yet taken formal steps to recruit him.
For the moment, claims that Wahbi has already contacted Van Persie or his father have been dismissed by the source close to the player, leaving Shaqil’s international choice open as his club career continues to develop.
