After a stunning performance for Bayern Munich at Lazio in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, the debate on which national team Jamal Musiala plays for is back on the front burner
Former England midfielder Owen Hargreaves has called on the Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate to invite Nigeria-eligible wonderkid Jamal Musiala ahead of games against San Marino, Albania, and Poland next month.
Hargreaves was left stunned by Musiala’s display in Rome on Tuesday night where Bayern Munich destroyed Lazio 4-1 in the first leg of their Round of 16 UEFA Champions League clash.
Making his second Champions League start this season, Musiala set a new record for a German club when he found the net in the 24th minute.
Aged 17 years and 363 days, the teenager is now the youngest player to ever score a goal for a German club in the Champions League.
Musiala turns 18 in a couple of days but a scramble for his international allegiance has been going on for a while.
Born to a Nigerian father in Germany but raised in England, the youngster has represented England at under-15, under-16, under-17, and under-21 levels, but also Germany at under-16s.
And Hargreaves wants Southgate to cap the talented attacking midfielder immediately before another country steals him away.
“Bayern have world-class players in every position so for him (Musiala) to come in and play is truly remarkable,” he told BT Sport, as per BBC.
“He is a special player, can play off either wing and is best as a number 10 – really athletic, looking to run at defenders, he has great composure, absolutely fabulous and I am delighted he started.
“For special players, you make special decisions. I would love to see him in an England shirt but it shows what level he is at if countries like England and Germany are competing for him at 17 years old.”
There are no indications yet that Musiala wants to play for the Super Eagles.
The Nigeria Football Federation, however, boasts a history of convincing the likes of Victor Moses, Josh Maja, and Joe Aribo to play for the Super Eagles after previously starring at different youth levels for England.
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