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Usually a source of controversy, arguments and debates, footballers often switch their national allegiance during the course of their careers. While each player can switch under strict, specific rules, thanks to FIFA, switching allegiances has become common in recent football history.
Earlier this year, young Sevilla star Ryan Johansson made the news when he officially switched his allegiance to the Republic of Ireland. Johansson was born in Luxembourg but because he has a Swedish father and an Irish mother, the youngster could play for any of the three countries. He played for Ireland's U-19, Sweden's U-16, and Luxembourg's U-21 sides respectively, but has finally shifted his allegiance to his mother's home country.
Ryan Johansson's story isn't unique. Bayern youngster Jamal Musiala's switch to Germany after representing England at youth level recently hit the headlines much to the latter's annoyance. So did Michail Antonio's decision to switch his allegiance to Jamiaca after he failed to make an appearance for the England national team.
Before FIFA's rules on changing allegations were tightened, legends like Alfredo di Stegano represented Spain, Colombia, and Argentina at the highest level. Although this level of switching won't happen again, players will continue to switch their nationalities to the country with their best career interests at heart.
Without further ado, let's take a look at ten currently active players who have switched their nationalities in football:
#10 Neven Subotic | Serbia
Starting his career with the USA U-17 squad in 2005, Neven Subotic progressed in what should have been a generally straightforward route to the full men's team. However, after two appearances with the U-20 team, then head coach Thomas Rongen publicly criticized the former Borussia Dortmund star and left him out of the 2007 U-20 World Cup squad. Subotic felt slighted and decided to switch allegiance to his birth country Serbia.
The 32-year-old made his debut for Serbia in 2008 and partook in the 2010 World Cup. Although his international career was quite short-lived, due to injuries and poor form, Subotic played 36 major games for Serbia, including the 2014 World Cup qualification games. He remained stellar at Dortmund, spending an illustrious 10-year stint with the club. However, Neven Subotic couldn't replicate his club form on the national stage.
#9 Riyad Mahrez | Algeria
The Manchester CIty star once played, undiscovered, in the fourth tier of French football with Quimper. After a year with the club, Riyad Mahrez moved to Le Havre who were, at the time, in Ligue 2. During his stint at Le Havre, it was clear to the star that he might never get picked to play for the France national team, even though he was born and had lived in France all his life.
Mahrez made the decision to switch allegiance to his parents' home country Algeria in 2013. Within a few months, he was called up to the provisional Algeria squad for the 2014 World Cup, and so far, this has led to 67 caps and 24 goals. He has also won the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria, and has picked up numerous accolades and individual awards for his performances with his country.
#8 Diego Costa | Spain
In March 2013, Diego Costa was playing for the Brazilian team. By February 2014, the Atletico Mineiro star was on the pitch in Spain's colors. As controversy naturally follows Costa, it's not surprising that his exit from the Brazilian national team was hardly peaceful or straightforward. Having played only two games for Brazil, both friendlies, Spain asked FIFA for permission to call up Diego Costa, who had just gotten his Spanish citizenship in 2013.
Costa himself sent a letter to Brazil's football association, openly declaring his intentions to play for Spain instead. Brazil were understandably upset and reacted by opening a request to revoke the star's citizenship, which was later denied. Although he still gets booed by Brazilian fans during national games, Diego Costa has gone on to win 24 caps for Spain, scoring 10 goals.
#7 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | Gabon
Arsenal's marksman was born in France but eventually joined AC Milan's youth academy. Due to his brilliance, Italy U-19 courted the star but he chose to go with the France U-21 side instead. Although he had seemingly picked France, and he was also eligible to play in Spain, Aubameyang threw his weight behind Gabon, where his father is from. The Gunners star explained that his father had captained Gabon's national team, which was a key decision-maker for him,
So far, Aubameyang has been Gabon's top goalscorer with 27 goals in 68 appearances for the country. Unfortunately for the star, Gabon is yet to win a competition, but his personal accolades are numerous on the national stage. He has notably won the African Player of the Year award as well.
#6 Taulant Xhaka | Albania
Both Taulant and his brother Granit were born in Switzerland after their parents emigrated from Yugoslavia. Taulant began his international career playing for Switzerland U-17, and rose through the ranks to U-21. He notably played 41 youth games for his country. However, in May 2013, the star made his decision to officially switch allegiance to Albania, explaining that is choice was influenced by his brother Granit.
By December 2013, Taulant Xhaka received Albanian citizenship, but got approval from FIFA to officially represent Albania in June 2014, having already played friendlies with the national team. So far, Xhaka has made 31 caps for Albania, and although he has not played a major fixture for the side since 2019.
#5 Gonzalo Higuain | Argentina
El Pipita, as Higuain is fondly called, has made his mark as one of only three foreign-born players to play for Argentina in a World Cup. Born in France, the star had to choose between the French national side and Argentina, where he had spent most of his growing years. Eventually, the star picked Argentina, accepting a call-up for the Olympics in 2008.
His career with Argentina's national football side has been nothing short of spectacular, with the star appearing in 75 official games and scoring 41 goals. In 2019, Higuain retired from international football, having picked up a runners-up World Cup medal in 2014. The star now plies his trade in the MLS, alongside his brother Federico Higuain.
#4 Kevin Prince Boateng | Ghana
Born in Germany, both Kevin-Prince and his brother Jerome Boateng played for the German youth squads. However, while Jerome continued his career with the German senior side, Kevin-Prince Boateng made the decision to switch his allegiance to Ghana, explaining that he felt more Ghanian. Although he started the process of changing international sides in June 2009, it would take another 11 months for FIFA to give permission.
His international career, however, was rather short-lived as the star decided, in 2011, to retire from international football aged 24, due to travel fatigue. Although he rejoined the squad in 2013, disciplinary action saw Boateng suspended from duty in 2014, and he went into retirement again. Kevin-Prince Boateng picked up 15 appearances for Ghana and scored two goals during his four-year stint.
#3 Jack Grealish | England
Although the Manchester City star had played for Ireland's youth sides earlier in his career, he made the switch to England in 2015, garnering some playing time with the U-21 side in 2016. Officially switching his allegiance to England, he was unable to return to Ireland's national side, although England did not call him up until 2020.
Although it's taken him a good number of years to join the England side, Jack Grealish has become a consistent part of the national team. Over the last two years, the star has made 16 appearances for England.
#2 Declan Rice | England
Although the young star was born in England, his grandparents are from Ireland, which gave him eligibility. He rose through the ranks, playing for Ireland's U17 side up till he started to play for the senior team. By August 2018, Rice had been approached by England, and although he had already capped thrice for Ireland's national side, he made the request to switch.
The star's change of allegiance saw him begin international duty with England only eight days after FIFA had confirmed their decision to let him switch. Declan Rice has been a consistent face in England colors, having made 26 appearances since he joined in 2019.
#1 Wilifred Zaha | Ivory Coast
Born in England to parents from Ivory Coast, the Crystal Palace speedster was called up to England U-19 after a successful first season with his club. He continued to progress, picking up friendly fixtures with England's U-21 side and national side. However, Zaha was never picked for a major match with the national side, and he eventually decided to make the switch to his parents' home.
While the English manager Gareth Southgate tried to dissuade Zaha from playing for Ivory Coast, there was little England could do any longer. In the last five years with Ivory Coast, the star has garnered 20 appearances, scoring five goals.
