England goalscorers Declan Rice and Jack Grealish faced boos from fans during their recent Nations League win over the Republic of Ireland. Both players had previously represented the Republic at various international levels before switching to play for England. This incident has raised questions about other players who could have potentially played for England but didn’t. Let’s take a closer look at a selection of these players.
Kasper Schmeichel (Denmark):
Kasper Schmeichel, the son of former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, was born in Copenhagen but spent a significant portion of his childhood in England. Despite his time in England, Schmeichel decided to represent Denmark, the nation of his birth. He has since won 106 caps for his country, showcasing his talent as a goalkeeper.
Matty Cash (Poland):
Aston Villa right-back Matty Cash was born in Slough, England, and had spent his entire life in the country. However, he obtained Polish citizenship through his mother and decided to represent Poland at the international level. Cash has already earned 15 caps for Poland, demonstrating his commitment to his new national team.
Wes Morgan (Jamaica):
Wes Morgan, a retired professional footballer, achieved success with Leicester City, including winning the Premier League title in 2016. Although he was born in England, Morgan’s grandparents hailed from Jamaica. He chose to represent Jamaica at the international level and earned 30 caps for the team.
Ethan Pinnock (Jamaica):
Brentford center-back Ethan Pinnock, a Londoner, also opted to represent Jamaica. While he had the opportunity to play for England’s C side, a team made up of non-league players, Pinnock decided to pursue an international career with Jamaica, qualifying through his father. He made his debut for Jamaica in 2021.
Antonee Robinson (United States):
Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson was born in Milton Keynes, England, but had the option to play for both England and the United States due to his father’s American citizenship. Robinson chose to represent the United States, citing the faith and opportunities the country had shown him at a younger age. He has already earned 46 senior caps for the United States and is considered a valuable asset to their national team.
Scott McTominay (Scotland):
Midfielder Scott McTominay, who recently joined Napoli from Manchester United, was born in Lancaster, England, but has Scottish heritage through his father. Despite being approached by England manager Gareth Southgate in 2018, McTominay decided to represent Scotland. He has since won 53 caps for the Scottish national team.
Simone Perrotta (Italy):
Italy World Cup winner Simone Perrotta was born in Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester, to Italian parents. He spent most of his career playing in Serie A for clubs like Juventus and Roma before retiring in 2013. Perrotta earned 48 caps for Italy, including playing a crucial role in their 2006 World Cup triumph.
Jamal Musiala (Germany):
Bayern Munich attacking midfielder Jamal Musiala is perhaps one of the most frustrating losses for England. Born in Stuttgart, Germany, and raised in England, Musiala represented England at various youth levels. However, he ultimately decided to play for Germany, the country of his birth. He has become a key player for the German national team, earning 35 caps.
Jeremie Frimpong (Netherlands):
Jeremie Frimpong, currently playing for Bayer Leverkusen, was born in the Netherlands to Ghanaian parents. Although he spent a significant portion of his life in England, playing in the Manchester City academy and later for Celtic, Frimpong chose to represent the Netherlands. He made his senior debut for the Dutch national team in 2020.
Gareth Bale (Wales):
Gareth Bale, one of Britain’s greatest footballers, could have represented England due to his English grandmother. However, the Welsh winger proudly chose to represent Wales, becoming their most capped player and highest goalscorer. Bale played a crucial role in Wales’ success at major tournaments and retired from international football after the 2022 World Cup.
Erling Haaland (Norway):
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland was born in Leeds, England, and would have been eligible to play for England. However, his Norwegian father’s premature retirement from football led the family to move back to Norway when Erling was just three years old. Haaland has since become a key player for Norway, scoring 31 goals in 34 games.
While it is natural for fans to feel disappointed when players choose to represent other countries, it is essential to respect their decisions. Each player has their own personal and familial connections that influence their choices. These examples demonstrate the diverse backgrounds and international options available to footballers.