Duarte attacks Ilaix Moriba publicly over shirt number 10

Paulo Duarte, the head coach of Guinea, has criticized midfielder Ilaix Moriba for demanding the number 10 shirt to join the national team. His comments sparked widespread controversy following the victory over Eritrea by a score of 2-1 in the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers.

Dourati pointed out that Moukoko, the Celta Vigo player, expressed his desire to wear the number 10 shirt, despite another player having it for two years, and continues to represent the national team despite the difficulties he faces. The coach said: "He says he wants the number 10, but why do you want the number 10? Tell me, why? There is another player who has worn it for two years, and he has suffered a lot here, but he works and shows up and fights, whether the national team wins or loses."

The Portuguese coach said in a direct attack on the 23-year-old midfielder: "There are people who want the number 10, like Maradona and Zico, but maybe you are still too young to wear that number. Are you sure you will play with the number 10? The number 10 no longer means anything by itself; what matters is that the player is better on the field and defends his club and country, that is what is important."

Dourati continues his criticism, stating: "When someone has excessive arrogance, nothing else matters but themselves, and I don't operate that way," in reference to his displeasure with the behavior attributed to a Celta Vigo player.

Moriba, who previously represented Spain's youth teams before choosing to play for Guinea, has 26 international appearances, but he has only participated once with the national team since September 2024. He returned to the squad last September, but he missed the two matches during the current international break in November due to injury, according to his surroundings.

In contrast, the player's camp rushed to deny the coach's accusations, confirming that his absence was the result of an agreement between the medical teams of Guinea and Celta Vigo, due to his ongoing physical discomfort and the number of matches he has played with his club. They emphasized that the decision was made in consensus between both parties, denying that the player's absence was related to his shirt number or any other reason concerning his refusal to represent the national team.

Guinea are second in Group D with six points from three matches and are preparing to face Eritrea again next Monday in an attempt to secure their second consecutive victory, while Moriba will watch the match from Spain.