Maltese player Ilyas Chouaref has been making headlines recently with his impressive performance, which has attracted the attention of the national football team. The 24-year-old, who recently acquired Maltese citizenship, will now be eligible to play for Malta in their upcoming game against Finland.
Chouaref’s connection to Malta comes from his relatives who live in Nadur, Gozo. Despite his international background, Chouaref has expressed his commitment to play for Malta at the age of 24. He currently plays for FC Sion in the Swiss Super League and is considered one of the top talents in the league with a market value of €3 million. This makes him the second most valuable player in the Maltese squad, after Teddy Teuma who has a market value of €5 million.
Along with Chouaref, another potential addition to the national team is James Carragher, the son of former English international and Liverpool player Jamie Carragher. Both Carragher and Chouaref have Maltese ancestry, with Carragher’s mother being Maltese. While Carragher currently plays for Wigan Athletic in England’s League One, his market value is around €150,000.
Chouaref’s potential addition to the Maltese team has excited fans, as they hope he will bring the same level of quality as Teuma, who also has a similar background. Overall, Chouaref’s growth as a player, along with his connection to Malta, makes him a valuable asset for the national team. It is clear that he has the potential to continue developing and possibly even have the opportunity to play for France or Morocco, but he has made the decision to represent Malta, unlike Irvin Cardona who has rejected the opportunity.
This shows that players like Chouaref have the desire and determination to play for Malta, with his Maltese family being the main reason for his connection to the country.
