India, Oct. 21 -- Djouny Theodore Jr., a 16-year-old Haitian soccer player, has left the national under-17 team of his country in Spain in an attempt to reach France, The Haitian Times reported. Theodore Jr. was part of the 25-man initial squad picked to represent Haiti in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which will begin on November 3 in Qatar.

The Haitian team was in Spain as part of its preparations for the tournament and had even played a practice match in the country on October 2. However, on October 18, Theodore Jr. slipped away from his team as they watched FC Barcelona take on Girona, The Haitian Times explained. The report added that he left his passport and other belongings behind. An audio message from him is circulating on social med...