Mali now have THREE Adama Traores in the side after Wolves star switches nationality from Spain
MALI will boast THREE Adama Traores in their squad if the Wolves winger switches international allegiance - and could incredibly field FIVE Traores in the same starting XI!
The 23-year-old won a total of 18 caps representing Spain from Under-16s to U21s.
But according to , the Premier League star has now decided to play for the African country instead.
Traore was born in Spain but both his parents are from Mali, which sits in the very north west of the continent.
Easy to follow so far.
But spare a thought for the Mali coaches who will not only have to contend with three players with the same name, but three players with the same name who all play in midfield!
Wolves' Traore can go to the right of Monaco's on-loan Metz midfielder Adama Traore, who has Metz team-mate (yes, really) Adama Traore to the left of him on the wing.
All three could line up at the same time along the middle of the park.
And just to make it more ridiculous, Rennes star Hamari Traore could switch positions to go left back, with usual right back Cheick Traore, who plays for Lens, keeping his place.
That means there is the potential for five Traores in the same starting XI.
At least that makes it easy for commentators.
Mali have some experience with dealing with namesakes, having previously had brothers Sambou and Moustaphe Yatabre in their squad.
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Mali tried and failed to get Wolves' Traore - who reckons he can beat Usain Bolt in a race - in their provisional squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
But the former Villa wideman - who graduated from Barca's famous La Masia academy - opted not to commit himself.
Now he is set to star for them in their upcoming qualifiers for the 2021 version of AFCON.