Top Ten: Players who changed national allegiance
After the disaster that was World Cup 2010, questions have been asked as to whether or not non-English nationals should be included in the country’s football team. It’s worked wonders for our cricket counterparts when you look at the success messes Strauss, Pietersen and Trott.
With his chances for Spain looking limited, Mikel Arteta is one of the players that would qualify, and is the technical, creative force we have been crying out for. Many will argue that it’s unpatriotic and we don’ want any Johnny Foreigner playing for the Three Lions. However, it’s not as uncommon as we might like to think, and so Sport.co.uktakes a look at players past and present who have been a success when swapping countries.
10. Patrick Vieira (Born Senegal- Represented France)
Born in Senegal, Vieira stayed in Africa until eight years of age, after which his family relocated to France. It was only 9 years later that Patrick was making his first team debut at Cannes and two years after that he was captain of the side. Vieira made well over 100 appearances for the French national team and was part of their world and European domination in 1998 and 2000 respectively. He may now be a shadow of his former self, but undoubtedly the Arsenal stalwart was great for both club and adopted country.
9. Miroslav Klose (Born Poland- Represented Germany)
The most prolific World Cup striker of the Noughties, and was the first German since the reunification to finish top scorer. He also holds the enviable record of being only one goal away from Ronaldo’s record 15 World Cup goals and could well of equalled the big Brazilian’s total, but injury prevented him from playing in the 3rd/4th play off in South Africa this summer, and the fact he will be 36 at the next tournament, probably means his World Cup boat has sailed.
8. Lucas Podolski (Born Poland - Represented Germany)
Much like Klose, Podolski also opted for Nationalmannschaft over Poland, and once again their loss was Germany’s gain. The tricky left-sided attacker was excellent in South Africa, and was part of the attack that embarrassed England and went on to achieve a third place finish. Still only 25, Podolski has the ability and time to go onto to be a great in the national game, just a shame his Grandma’s not English.
10. Patrick Vieira (Born Senegal- Represented France)
Born in Senegal, Vieira stayed in Africa until eight years of age, after which his family relocated to France. It was only 9 years later that Patrick was making his first team debut at Cannes and two years after that he was captain of the side. Vieira made well over 100 appearances for the French national team and was part of their world and European domination in 1998 and 2000 respectively. He may now be a shadow of his former self, but undoubtedly the Arsenal stalwart was great for both club and adopted country.
9. Miroslav Klose (Born Poland- Represented Germany)
The most prolific World Cup striker of the Noughties, and was the first German since the reunification to finish top scorer. He also holds the enviable record of being only one goal away from Ronaldo’s record 15 World Cup goals and could well of equalled the big Brazilian’s total, but injury prevented him from playing in the 3rd/4th play off in South Africa this summer, and the fact he will be 36 at the next tournament, probably means his World Cup boat has sailed.
8. Lucas Podolski (Born Poland - Represented Germany)
Much like Klose, Podolski also opted for Nationalmannschaft over Poland, and once again their loss was Germany’s gain. The tricky left-sided attacker was excellent in South Africa, and was part of the attack that embarrassed England and went on to achieve a third place finish. Still only 25, Podolski has the ability and time to go onto to be a great in the national game, just a shame his Grandma’s not English.
7. Terry Butcher (Born Singapore- Represented England)
Who can forget that image of the bloodied Butcher, head strapped, shirt stained carrying on to ensure England got the draw they needed to send them to Italia 90. He played 77 times in a 10 year career for the Three Lions and his uncompromising style won him favour in all quarters. Despite the iconic image, that shows what we loved about Butcher, many do still remember him chasing air as Maradona breezed past him on en route to his memorable second goal in Mexico 86.
6. Eusebio (Born Mozambique- Represented Portugal)
One of the greatest players ever to grace the field could perhaps be forgiven for switching countries, as Mozambique was under Portuguese rule at the time of his birth. Once the decision was made, the rest as they say is history as Eusebio went on to score 41 times in 64 appearances, and was leading scorer until 2005 when he was overtaken by Pauleta. Like England, 1966 was a good year for the forward as he finished the World Cup’s top scorer with nine goals, including a memorable four against Korea. Was voted the greatest player for Portugal over the last fifty years and is the example for any current footballer- Mr Ronaldo take note.
5. Marcel Desailly (Born Ghana- Represented France)
Despite not arriving in the country until he was 4 years old, the former Chelsea player went onto represent Les Bleus 116 times, with the highlight being a World Cup victory in 1998 on home soil. The centre- half was also part of the Euro 2000 success and captained his adopted country to a Confederations Cup victory in 2001. Nevertheless he did show his allegiance for his birth country as a pundit in this summer’s World Cup, but when France was the other option who can blame him.
4. John Barnes (Born Jamaica- Represented England)
Who can forget that image of the bloodied Butcher, head strapped, shirt stained carrying on to ensure England got the draw they needed to send them to Italia 90. He played 77 times in a 10 year career for the Three Lions and his uncompromising style won him favour in all quarters. Despite the iconic image, that shows what we loved about Butcher, many do still remember him chasing air as Maradona breezed past him on en route to his memorable second goal in Mexico 86.
6. Eusebio (Born Mozambique- Represented Portugal)
One of the greatest players ever to grace the field could perhaps be forgiven for switching countries, as Mozambique was under Portuguese rule at the time of his birth. Once the decision was made, the rest as they say is history as Eusebio went on to score 41 times in 64 appearances, and was leading scorer until 2005 when he was overtaken by Pauleta. Like England, 1966 was a good year for the forward as he finished the World Cup’s top scorer with nine goals, including a memorable four against Korea. Was voted the greatest player for Portugal over the last fifty years and is the example for any current footballer- Mr Ronaldo take note.
5. Marcel Desailly (Born Ghana- Represented France)
Despite not arriving in the country until he was 4 years old, the former Chelsea player went onto represent Les Bleus 116 times, with the highlight being a World Cup victory in 1998 on home soil. The centre- half was also part of the Euro 2000 success and captained his adopted country to a Confederations Cup victory in 2001. Nevertheless he did show his allegiance for his birth country as a pundit in this summer’s World Cup, but when France was the other option who can blame him.
4. John Barnes (Born Jamaica- Represented England)
The Jamaican born winger has become one the most loved footballers in English history- not just because of the way he embarrassed Brazil with his mazy run and finish in the 1984 friendly or that he was the man who made commentator Barry Davies shout: “Go on, Run at Them” during the World Cup quarter final in 1986. No Barnesy was the man who supplied the greatest rap to the greatest football song of all time, and for that we salute him.
3. Deco (Born Brazil- Represented Portugal)
Received Portuguese citizenship in 2002 and represented Selecção das Quinas in two World Cups and a European Championship.Has a plethora of cups and titles to his name at club level, including being one of the only men to win the Champions League with two separate clubs (Porto, Barcelona) and title winning medals from Portugal, Spain and England. However when you look at the success of his home nation during his career, two World Cup wins and countless Copa America triumphs, you have to wonder if he still think he made the correct decision.
2. Simone Perrotta (Born, England- Represented Italy)
The Roma Midfielder was part of the 2006 winning side and made 47 appearances for the Azzuri in seven years between 2002-2009. However despite his Italian name, Perrotta spent the first six years of his life in Manchester and even attended school here before moving back to Italy. Unlike Deco, it’s fair to say that Perrotta did make the correct decision not choosing his country of birth.
1. Tony Cascariono (Born England- Represented ROI)
Probably one of the most controversial switches ever to happen when it transpired that Cascarino had no link to the Emerald Isle, despite being their record appearance holder. The striker had qualified to play through his Irish grandfather, however his mother revealed in later life that she was adopted and therefore there was no direct link. Nevertheless, on the pitch Cascarino was a key part of the sides in the late 80s and early 90s that competed in both European Championships and World Cups. Cas left the international scene in 1999 having scored 19 goals in 88 appearances.
3. Deco (Born Brazil- Represented Portugal)
Received Portuguese citizenship in 2002 and represented Selecção das Quinas in two World Cups and a European Championship.Has a plethora of cups and titles to his name at club level, including being one of the only men to win the Champions League with two separate clubs (Porto, Barcelona) and title winning medals from Portugal, Spain and England. However when you look at the success of his home nation during his career, two World Cup wins and countless Copa America triumphs, you have to wonder if he still think he made the correct decision.
2. Simone Perrotta (Born, England- Represented Italy)
The Roma Midfielder was part of the 2006 winning side and made 47 appearances for the Azzuri in seven years between 2002-2009. However despite his Italian name, Perrotta spent the first six years of his life in Manchester and even attended school here before moving back to Italy. Unlike Deco, it’s fair to say that Perrotta did make the correct decision not choosing his country of birth.
1. Tony Cascariono (Born England- Represented ROI)
Probably one of the most controversial switches ever to happen when it transpired that Cascarino had no link to the Emerald Isle, despite being their record appearance holder. The striker had qualified to play through his Irish grandfather, however his mother revealed in later life that she was adopted and therefore there was no direct link. Nevertheless, on the pitch Cascarino was a key part of the sides in the late 80s and early 90s that competed in both European Championships and World Cups. Cas left the international scene in 1999 having scored 19 goals in 88 appearances.
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