Monaco striker Folarin Balogun don announce himself for world stage on Friday night when e become first United States men’s national team player to score two goals for World Cup match since first tournament for 1930.
But the 24-year-old only dey play for USMNT for three years, after e switch international allegiance from England, the country where e grow up.
So why Balogun make the switch, and why e choose USMNT over Nigeria? Balogun born for Brooklyn, New York to Nigerian parents, but move to UK soon after and grow up for London, meaning e dey eligible to play for any of the three nations.
E mama Florence tell ESPN: “Where the story come from say he dey America until he be 2, I no go ever know. I get am for July and by end of August we dey back for London.” She travel to New York while seven months pregnant.
“I no believe things happen by luck. I think for me to go America and get am there, e just be something wey really stick with me. Even when he no dey think of making international decision, I don already make up my mind say he go play for America.”
Balogun join Arsenal academy at eight years old, and rise steadily through ranks, become one of most talked-about youth players for England. E play for Lee Carsley’s England under-21 side. Across 13 appearances under Carsley, Balogun score seven goals, including run of six for five games for European under-21 Championship qualifying.
But the striker no fit establish himself for first team at Arsenal and, after mixed loan spell at Middlesbrough, e go on loan to France looking to reignite e career. E do exactly that with successful loan spell at Reims, before moving to Monaco on permanent deal where e don impress ever since, scoring 13 goals for 30 Ligue 1 appearances last season.
For May 2023, three months before e join Monaco, FIFA approve e change of allegiance to United States. Since then, e don score 11 goals for 28 appearances for USMNT, including the brace against Paraguay.
“A real dream, e be dreamy night,” Balogun talk after Friday game. “I no fit take all in. I sure when I reach my hotel, I go fit be for moment and experience how much amazing night this be.”
The striker also reflect on decision wey e make three years ago. “When I commit, I don always say the fans give me so much motivation, show me so much support. For me, the most important thing don always be to repay that. I feel like today be great opportunity, and I just want to continue to show the fans I make right decision. I completely proud, and I want to continue to make the fans proud as well.”
“When I break the news to my family dem, dem all just dey over the moon, especially my mama. She say, ‘Wetin take you so long?’ To represent United States mean plenty, more than people go know. I very proud and honoured to get this opportunity, and I want to give everything I get to make our team successful.”
For 2023, England well-stocked up front, with Harry Kane seemingly immovable and Ollie Watkins and Callum Wilson waiting for wings. Despite no qualifying for 2022 World Cup for Qatar, Nigeria also boast plenty attacking talent for Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho and Ahmed Musa. Meanwhile, USMNT get Josh Sargent and Haji Wright as dem most established strikers. That mean say, right from start, Balogun get plenty minutes under Gregg Berhalter and now Mauricio Pochettino.
Having just write e name for USMNT folklore, that switch appear to don pay off. “I visualize my debut for World Cup scoring, but the reality don surpass that of scoring two goals. And the second goal be fantastic goal as well,” Balogun talk after win over Paraguay.
