Torino Midfielder Joel Obi: I Rejected Italian National Team To Play For Nigeria
Published: April 14, 2018
Torino attacking midfielder Joel Obi has revealed that he rejected an approach to play for Italy at international level as he wanted to represent Nigeria where he was born.
Five years after turning down the Italian Football Federation request, Obi was handed his Super Eagles debut by Samson Siasia in the national team's 2-1 win over Sierra Leone at the National Stadium in Lagos in February 2011.
''With my family we try to speak Igbo at home but I prefer speaking Italian. When I get to Nigeria I speak broken English and with my Igbo friends I prefer to speak Igbo,'' Obi told Kwese Sports.
''All my life, style was in Italian football. When I was 14 or 15 years, I had the opportunity to play for the Italian youth team but I waited because I believe I am from Nigeria and I have to play for my fatherland.
''Finally I got the call from the Super Eagles and I was very happy. I was only focused on Nigerian national team.''
Obi was recalled to the national team after a four-year absence for the pre-World Cup friendlies against Poland and Serbia last month and was named in the starting line-up for both matches.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Five years after turning down the Italian Football Federation request, Obi was handed his Super Eagles debut by Samson Siasia in the national team's 2-1 win over Sierra Leone at the National Stadium in Lagos in February 2011.
''With my family we try to speak Igbo at home but I prefer speaking Italian. When I get to Nigeria I speak broken English and with my Igbo friends I prefer to speak Igbo,'' Obi told Kwese Sports.
''All my life, style was in Italian football. When I was 14 or 15 years, I had the opportunity to play for the Italian youth team but I waited because I believe I am from Nigeria and I have to play for my fatherland.
''Finally I got the call from the Super Eagles and I was very happy. I was only focused on Nigerian national team.''
Obi was recalled to the national team after a four-year absence for the pre-World Cup friendlies against Poland and Serbia last month and was named in the starting line-up for both matches.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Latest News
- Arsenal eye PL record v Tottenham: Super Eagles star last player to score against table-toppers
- Chelsea switch attention to top Man Utd striker target as alternative to Napoli star Victor Osimhen
- Meet Onyeka Paloma Gamero: The Barcelona striker eligible for Super Falcons, USWNT and Spain
- 'Was amazing' - Former Celtic striker insists Balogun must keep his spot in Rangers backline
- Arthur Okonkwo's potential departure: United States youth teamer heading to Arsenal for training stint
- After Boniface, Napoli considering another Super Eagles striker as potential replacement for Osimhen
- Inter Milan join Arsenal and AC Milan in race to sign Bologna's Super Eagles-eligible striker
- Promising right-back Habeeb Ogunneye misses out on major Manchester United honour
- 'I don't know why he never plays' - Ponciroli blasts AC Milan coach over treatment of Chukwueze
- Nigerian exports: Lookman scores and assists; Moffi in red-hot form; Ohio super-sub; Olusanya strikes
Football News 24/7
News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football