Ajax forward Anwar El Ghazi said Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo advised him to play for Netherlands and not Morocco.
El Ghazi was named in Danny Blind's preliminary 28-man Netherlands squad for October's UEFA Euro 2016 qualifiers against Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic.
However, El Ghazi was persuaded by Portugal captain and two-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo to opt for Netherlands, who he has represented at youth level.
"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?'"
El Ghazi added: "I'm going to do my best. I'm going to give everything for the country because I was born and raised here."
