Dual nationals have been at the heart of debates in football for several years and it is not likely to stop. We have the impression that before, the selection was a choice of the heart. But now it looks more and more like a sporting choice. Recently, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Amine Gouiri and Habib Diarra chose their country of origin to the detriment of France. Others are faced with this same dilemma and will quickly have to make a choice. We start with Rayan Cherki. The Lyonnais’ case is more complex than it seems, because he can claim three selections. France, the country where he was born and resides, Algeria where his mother lives, who is Algerian, and Italy through his father.
For now, Rayan Cherki has not yet made a decision. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder is currently in the French Espoirs team. He played more than 20 matches and scored 11 goals and provided 6 assists. He also participated in the Olympic Games with Thierry Henry’s U23s this summer, even if the coach did not use him much. In great shape at the club, he now finds himself at a turning point in his career. The Blues seem to be the logical next step, but nothing promises him a place in Didier Deschamps’ group. And he still needs to be selected for the A. Whereas with the Fennecs, he could have a good chance of being directly part of Petkovic’s XI during the next gatherings.
Towards a talent drain?
Désiré Doué was one of the revelations of the Olympic Games with the Blues. He was bought at a high price by PSG this summer (€50 million) and after a period of adaptation, he finally seems to have launched his Parisian adventure. He has dual French and Ivorian nationality. Having passed through all the youth selections in France (U17, U18, U19), the Espoirs and the French Olympic Team, the next step is with the A. Unless he takes the same path as his brother Guéla, who chose Ivory Coast.
Another star of the French championship, LOSC midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi. He is only 17 years old, but there is already a lot of talk about him, especially after his performances in the Champions League. France and Morocco are fighting over it. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation is pushing hard to have him in the Atlas Lions squad. Another French football sensation, the Monegasque Maghnes Akliouche. Like Rayan Cherki, he also has Algerian nationality. His parents are from Bouira in Kabylia. Close to the Fennecs before the Olympics, he would now be on track to choose the Blues. The newspaper The Team even indicated that today he only thinks of the Blues, and that the question of nationality does not arise for him. Case(s) to be continued…
