Folarin Balogun has reacted to being left out of the first England squad released by head coach Gareth Southgate on Thursday.
Balogun, who is on loan to Reims from Arsenal, has been in brilliant form scoring 16 goals in 26 Ligue 1 appearances so far this season.
Balogun has scored more league goals than both Lionel Messi and Neymar this campaign, and is only three behind joint-leaders Jonathan David and Kylian Mbappe (19).
The 21-year-old was born in the United States, and has represented both England and the USA at youth level throughout his career.
Also, he is also eligible to play for Nigeria, and his reaction to being left out of the England squad suggests that he may be finished with the Three Lions.
And on Thursday Southgate announced the England squad for the upcoming European qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine.
While Ivan Toney was finally called up, Balogun, alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben White missed out.
And Balogun immediately took to Instagram and posted a story after the England squad was announced, writing: “In life, go where you’re appreciated. Be easy.”
After first appearing for England’s U-17 side, Balogun was undecided at U18 level, playing for both the Three Lions and the US.
Since then, he’s stuck with England, most recently scoring seven goals in 13 appearances for the U-21 side.
But without making a single senior appearance for any national side, Balogun can still pick which country he wants to represent.
8 Comments
Its the best time for The NFF to shun all antics of bribery and meet this boy now with the hope of convincing him to commit to the SE. Already a report amanating from a camp in the USA suggests that his heart is with Nigeria because of his grand mom whom he loves so much.Moreover, USA is not a competitive team compared to the SE . So I believe now that England is out of the question, the NFF can pounce immediately.
Balogun Nigeria also did the same to some players that merit call up. Your case is even good because Ivan Toney that was choosen over you is in red hot form. Stay where your heart lies and leave Nigeria if you want a team that will not compliment you with bench warmers or Non existing Yum yum fc acquaintance. Nigeria is a failed country that doesn’t want to do the honest way but rigging everything from head to toe.
I perfect he goes to USA, they are a good side even better than Nigeria but lack a top center forward, I think they are in top 15 in the world sef of he come to Nigeria now na left Wing he go dey play
Prefer
In football players go where the money is fattest! It’s only when that fails they realize there’s more to life than money.
You people like acting like Saka is not enjoying his honeymoon. Stop playing Victim because NFF is trash and these players knows it. Look at our squad list, you think these players don’t know that there’s corruption in Nigeria where inform players have to bribe their way. Salisu and Bosso now Peseiro are all releasing nonsense squad. Our last hope is Nduka Ugbade we pray he doesn’t get corrupted by this system where Yum Yum fc surfaces from imaginary NFF.
This guy will play for USA.
He can never be chosen ahead of Musa.
They will rather delay his paper works till the next 5 years for Musa to enjoy his 200 caps
But you are invited to England u21