Manchester United starlet Amad Diallo has earned his first call-up to the Ivory Coast national team for this month's Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The former Atalanta man is yet to make a Premier League appearance for the club, but he starred for the Under-23s team before announcing himself on the European stage against AC Milan.
Diallo opened the scoring in the first leg of Man United's Europa League last-16 battle against AC Milan with a looping header, and after making substitute appearances against Real Sociedad, Ivory Coast manager Patrice Beaumelle has taken notice.
The 18-year-old has now linked up with his national teammates for March's fixtures against Niger and Ethiopia, although competition is rife for places up front in the Ivory Coast ranks.
Diallo will be hopeful of earning his first cap for the country later this month, but he will have to battle the likes of Nicolas Pepe, Wilfried Zaha, Jonathan Kodjia and Gervinho for a place in the attack.
Ivory Coast currently top their group on head-to-head points ahead of Madagascar having taken seven points from a possible 12 since qualification began in November 2019.
Ben Knapton
