Matias Fernandez-Pardo picks Belgium, says his mentality feels more Belgian than Spanish | OneFootball

Matias Fernandez-Pardo, the LOSC centre-forward born in Brussels, has chosen Belgium over Spain, Italy or a possible Argentina route, setting out his decision at the national training base, according to L'Équipe.

He spoke of long reflection and conversations with Thomas Meunier and Nathan Ngoy, plus a meeting with coach Rudi Garcia and sporting director Vincent Mannaert. He felt more Belgian than Spanish and grew up mainly in Belgium.

He said he makes his own decisions and had kept quiet while others speculated, adding that talks with his manager helped clear up any ambiguity.

He maintained the choice was not about this World Cup. He had never previously met a national-team coach and suggested that, had the coach seen him two months earlier, the same decision might simply have arrived sooner.

The timing coincides with Romelu Lukaku still short of fitness and Loïs Openda omitted from the 26. Belgium had lacked a pure depth runner, and Fernandez-Pardo’s pace and direct movement address that gap.

Team-mates cite sprint tests at 39 km/h, the player gives 38.5. They view him as a powerful, fairly complete transition forward, unlike De Ketelaere’s false nine tendencies and Lukaku’s current poacher role.

The former Diablotin hit eight Ligue 1 goals, including a 1-0 winner against Paris FC on the 31st matchday. He nearly joined Spain’s Under-21s before injury, now says he understands Bruno Genesio’s past demands and feels in sync with his current coach, calling it a shame he is leaving.

Source: L'Équipe