Luca Koleosho, a Burnley winger, is being considered for the Italy national team following an injury to Mattia Zaccagni. The 20-year-old is eligible to represent Nigeria, Canada, the USA, and Italy. His potential call-up poses challenges for the USMNT, as he has previously hinted at his ties to Nigeria. NFL legend JJ Watt has urged him to represent the USA, citing upcoming international opportunities.
Luca Koleosho, a 20-year-old winger from Burnley, is reportedly being considered for a call-up to the Italy national team, potentially jeopardizing his chances with Nigeria and other countries. Following an injury to Mattia Zaccagni, Italy’s coach Luciano Spalletti has requested that Koleosho be on standby for the upcoming Nations League quarter-finals against Germany, indicating he could be included as a replacement.
Koleosho, born in the United States to a Nigerian father and an Italian-Canadian mother, is eligible to represent Nigeria, Canada, the USA, and Italy. He has expressed an affinity for the Nigerian national team due to his father’s influence, stating, “My father made me a fan of the Nigerian team because he watches them a lot and he made me know most of the players in the team.”
A potential call-up to Italy would be particularly significant for the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT), which would have greatly benefited from having him on their roster, especially since he first represented the US at youth levels before shifting towards Italy’s selection.
On the Men in Blazers podcast, NFL legend and Burnley co-owner JJ Watt commented on the situation, encouraging Koleosho to consider playing for the USA. He said, “My pitch to him would be to think about how incredible and how special it would be to play for your home country… There are going to be some incredibly exciting times in American football… and you can help to be a catalyst for even more growth in the game.”
Luca Koleosho’s possible selection for the Italy national team highlights his complex eligibility and potential impact on international football. His connections to Nigeria and the USA add depth to the discourse on national representation, with significant implications for both the USMNT and his future career. As international competitions loom, his decision will carry considerable weight for the teams vying for his talent.
Original Source: punchng.com
