A French international since the U16s, Éli Junior Kroupi is one of these young players likely to join the A in the years to come. Still, the 19-year-old striker also remains eligible to represent Ivory Coast, the country of his father Éli Kroupi (international twice between 2001 and 2005). The latter also spoke about his son’s international future. He does not intend to influence his decision.
“ Junior is French. He doesn’t know Ivory Coast. So these are very difficult decisions. I can’t encourage him to choose the Ivory Coast, harass him for that and then, if things go badly, he will blame me… I want to keep this position of father. And people need to understand that. He’s my only boy, I gave him an education. Whether his choices are positive or negative, I support himhe explains on the microphone of Sport News Africa. People must not forget that Eli Junior has three nationalities. His mother is Portuguese, I, his father, am Ivorian, and he is French. It’s tricky. I played for my country, Ivory Coast, with the Elephants. But that was a different time. This is my story. For him, it’s different. »
