Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho has caused a stir after ‘liking’ a tweet suggesting he was overlooked for Argentina’s World Cup squad because he was born in Spain.
Despite his excellent form for United in recent weeks, including a stoppage time winner at Fulham in their last match, Garnacho wasn’t called up by Argentina as a replacement for the injured Nicolas Gonzalez and Joaquin Correa.
Atletico Madrid’s Angel Correa and Atlanta United’s Thiago Almada were picked by coach Lionel Scaloni instead.
Alejandro Garnacho wasn’t called up to Argentina’s World Cup squad as a late injury replacement despite his excellent form for Manchester United
The 18-year-old trained alongside Lionel Messi when Argentina called him up back in March
The Twitter account @cabifyyy replied to another post saying: ‘They did not call up Garnacho because he is Spanish.’
This comment was apparently liked – and later unliked again – by Garnacho’s official account, something that was captured and shared on the platform by eagle-eyed fans.
Eagle-eyed fans on Twitter spotted Garnacho’s official account ‘like’ a comment saying he was overlooked by Argentina ‘because he is Spanish’
Garnacho, 18, was born in Madrid and came through the academy system at Atletico Madrid as well as representing Spain at Under-18 level.
But his mother is from Argentina, meaning he holds dual nationality and can also represent them.
In March this year, Garnacho was called up to the Argentina senior team ahead of their two World Cup qualifiers that month and he trained alongside Lionel Messi and Co.
However, he did not play in either match, meaning he isn’t yet fully committed to Argentina as a result of playing for them in a competitive fixture and could still play for Spain.
He has made five appearances since for Argentina’s Under-20 side, including in the Maurice Revello Tournament in southern France, in which he scored four goals in four games
Garnacho celebrated United’s FA Youth Cup triumph back in May with the Argentine flag.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni (left) decided to call up Angel Correa (right) into his World Cup squad instead of Garnacho
Garnacho celebrated United’s FA Youth Cup triumph earlier this year wrapped in the Argentine flag in a hint at where his international allegiances lie
Despite scoring his first senior goal for United in a Europa League match against Real Sociedad and then netting his first Premier League goal against Fulham, he was overlooked for Argentina’s World Cup squad.
Instead, he is expected to be part of the United party heading to Spain for a warm weather training camp next month and two friendlies with Cadiz and Real Betis while the World Cup is going on.