Barcelona Starlet Pledges Future To Nigeria
Barcelona Young Star Boluwatife Balogun Opts For Nigeria Ahead Of Holland And France
By SL10 - Dec 14, 2014 04:57 PM
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Barcelona starlet Boluwatife Balogun has made his services available to the Olympic National Team and Flying Eagles after committing his international future to Nigeria, despite being eligible to represent Holland and France.
Aged 18, the attacking midfielder is one of the youngsters being nurtured at the famous Barcelona La Masia Academy, which produced the likes of Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta.
The highly- rated youngster has stressed that his commitment to Nigeria should not be doubted despite failing to honour an earlier invitation to the Golden Eaglets as a result of a last-minute injury.
''I have been called up once for Nigeria's national under 17 team but I didn't come to camp due to injuries. If I get any call now, I will honour it because I want to serve my fatherland, if I'm invited,'' Boluwatife Balogun said to SL10.ng.
''I was born in Nigeria. My mom is French and I have a Dutch passport, so I'm also eligible to play for Holland and France.
''I don't have any special reason why I am picking Nigeria ahead of these countries, that's what my dad wants.''
Boluwatife Balogun has admitted that he models his game after Barcelona superstar Andres Iniesta, and he believes he will bring more quality to Nigeria's age - grade teams.
''Andres Iniesta is my role model, he is a great passer of the ball. He has good dribbling skills, he thinks what to do with the ball before it gets to him.
''There are good players there that has some good qualities in the Nigeria team. But with what I possess we will be spectacular,'' he concluded.
Boluwatife Balogun made tremendous strides at Lens Academy before he was snapped up by Barcelona two years ago.
He had a brief stint with Port Harcourt City academy, the same nursery team that produced Kingsley Sokari, before he moved to France to join his mom.
