The Netherlands winger was also eligible for Morocco but, following a conversation with the Manchester United legend, he eventually opted for Die Oranje.
Aston Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi has had a somewhat lopsided time at the club so far, impressing in the early days of his loan spell and at present, either side of a stint out of the team.
But with four goals and an assist from nine Championship appearances, both he and his fellow Villans will surely be happy with his efforts going into the busy festive period.
El Ghazi’s experience at the top level will no doubt serve him and his team in good stead in the 46-game marathon that is the English second tier, having also turned out for Ajax and parent club Lille.
The 23-year-old is also a fully-fledged Netherlands international, having won two caps at senior level, and over the coming years, he will surely be hoping to get his nation back to the top tables of the World Cup and European Championships.
El Ghazi was also eligible to represent Morocco due to his parents having hailed from the North African nation, but when he asked Cristiano Ronaldo for advice, the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend advised him to pick Die Oranje.
When asked by Aston Villa’s regular “One on One” feature this week, El Ghazi elaborated on the time he spoke to the Portugal icon, now at Juventus, stressing he wasn’t persuased in any way, merely advised.
“That’s a yes and also a no,” said the attacker. “I spoke to him when I was at Ajax and I asked him that question. But it’s not that he persuaded me. I had already made my decision on that but it was good to get his opinion. I just asked him what he would do if he was me. That’s all.”
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