Football players switching country alligiance controversy!!!

 

 

 Football as a game brings together people, families and countries. International football was established in the early 20th century and it is governed by Federation International de Football Association (FIFA). Players are key integral part of football. players decides to represent countries because of their cultural connections, birth place and parents background or their heritage.

Currently as things stands, players are allowed to switch countries only when they played only 3 competitive matches before the age of 21. those matches do not include world cup, intercontinental matches or friendlies. the new rules entail that players can switch their country representative after not representing one for a long time.

Like John Obi Mikel (  Former Nigerian International Footballer) stated on his podcast ( Obi One) that players should stick to their choices and represent the initially chosen countries. Players switching countries in their late years, indicate that they make that choice because they do not have another option. Therefore, it is imperative for the players to embrace a country when they are still in their prime not late in their carriers when they have less to offer on the field. Many players change from European countries to other African, Asian countries because they think a spot is guaranteed for them in the national team. For example, when Saido Berahino decided to represent Burundi, he was way passed from the period he was fighting for top scorer in the English league, the premier league. Countries need players that are ready to fight and leave everything on the  field for their country. This is possible when the players are integrated in the culture and way of living of the people of the nation represented.

It is important to invest in the  local talents since their understand the weight of the shirt due to the pressure applied by their country-mates. they understand that their family, friends and the rest of the population expect them to deliver on the field and they are the pride of the nation. A huge example is the Argentine and Spanish national teams. players like Pedri and  Lionel Messi are idolised in their countries as the fans consider them theirs. Messi decided to represent his national team, Argentina when he was still young and he had the option to represent Spain which could have offered better conditions and more money. Another admirable example is Luca Zidane who decided to represent Algeria.

In few words, players can switch their national team. however, it is key that they do it at their peak in their career when they still have enough to offer for the competitiveness of the team and the progress of the nation. Players that come to represent the country rejected earlier in their carriers are not needed as their block the development of youngsters from the country's local league.