Fulham central defender explains decision to represent Nigeria instead of England or Italy

Fulham defender Calvin Bassey has opened up about his decision to represent Nigeria instead of England or Italy, revealing that a memorable match against Argentina played a significant role in his choice.

Born in Italy but raised in England, the 24-year-old footballer began his journey in the sport at Leicester City, where he joined the youth academy at just 15 years old.

Bassey's pursuit of first-team action led him to Rangers in the summer of 2020, where he quickly established himself as a vital player in the team's defense.

His performances helped Rangers secure the Scottish League title, Scottish Cup, and reach the UEFA Europa League final, earning him recognition and speculation about his international allegiance.

In 2021, after much contemplation, Bassey chose to commit his international future to Nigeria, accepting a call-up to the national team for a pair of World Cup qualifiers against Central African Republic. 

Since playing a cap-tying game against Ghana in March 2022, he has become a cornerstone of the Super Eagles' defense, making 28 appearances and contributing to the team's success, including a silver medal finish at the 2023 AFCON tournament.

Reflecting on his decision, Bassey recalled the impactful match between Nigeria and Argentina, where the Super Eagles narrowly lost 2-1.

"When Nigeria played Argentina, they lost 2-1 but it was a good game," Bassey told Sky Sports.

"Messi, of course – Messi is Messi, innit – he scored that outrageous goal. I think it was knee, left foot, then right foot. It was top.

He expressed that witnessing such high-level competition fueled his desire to don the Nigerian jersey and play on the global stage.

"But that was more of motivation to me to want to play for Nigeria and also play on the big stage."

Currently, Bassey is enjoying a strong season with Fulham, starting all Premier League matches under manager Marco Silva.

His commitment and talent on the pitch continue to shine, and his journey from Italy to England, and now representing Nigeria, serves as an inspiration to many aspiring footballers.

Adeyemi Adewale

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