Anwar El Ghazi: 'Cristiano Ronaldo advised me to play for the Netherlands'

Anwar El Ghazi has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo has advised him to play for the Netherlands at international level over Morocco.

The Ajax forward is currently in Danny Blind's 28-man preliminary squad to face Kazakhstan and Czech Republic in October, after scoring seven goals this season for the Dutch club.

The 20-year-old, whose parents hail from the North African country, says that he chose to don the Oranje colours after the Real Madrid talisman advised him on doing so.

"I have thought about it for a long time. My parents, my family, my personal trainer and also Cristiano Ronaldo have advised me. I have included everything in my choice," El Ghazi told Ajax's official website.

"It came up with Ronaldo. He asked how I stood on the Netherlands. He said if he were me, he would opt for the Netherlands. He said I had to decide it myself and that people always have an opinion.

"Choose Netherlands and Moroccans will say I'm not a real Moroccan, opt for Morocco then the Dutch say 'Hey, you're born and raised here, what the hell is that?' I'm going to do my best. I'm going to give everything for the country because I was born and raised here."

El Ghazi has represented the Netherlands at youth level and is eligible for Holland's Euro 2016 qualifiers in October.