Young Real Madrid forward Alvaro Rodriguez has decided to play in international competitions for Uruguay instead of Spain, his father announced on Wednesday.

Alvaro Rodríguez will play for Uruguay

The 18-year-old football player was born in the Catalan city of Palmos, on the Costa Brava coast, so far he has played four times for Spain’s under-18 team and eight matches for Uruguay’s under-20 team, writes Mundo Deportivo.

Alvaro has a Spanish mother and former Uruguay international Daniel Rodríguez father. Alvaro made his debut for Real in January in a Copa del Rey match against Casereno.

He earned Real a point in the Madrid derby last month after scoring late on against Atlético.

“He decided to play for Uruguay. I told him that he can play for Spain, but he assured me that he wants to be part of the Uruguay national team,” said the footballer’s father.

Alvaro Rodriguez has made four appearances and scored one goal for Real Madrid’s first team and is valued at €6 million according to Transfermarkt.