5 players who represented two or more nations

Representing your own country on an international level is pride not many experiences, isn’t it? Moreover, donning the colours of your nation as a representative in front of thousands of fans wells up players and fills their chest with unparalleled ecstasy.

And yet, some footballers have been two minds about the international colours they have chosen to represent. As one can expect, such decisions have hardly gone down well with the supporters. On that note, let’s have a look at five such players who changed nationalities midway in their careers.

5. Diego Costa

However, Costa is also known for having swapped his nationalities. The Brazil-born player represented the Selecao for two games before deciding to switch allegiances, inviting controversy over the same.

As a result, Costa endured a lot of boos at the World Cup in 2014 for his decision.4. Josef Bican

For those who are substantially unaware of football’s enriching history before the 1950s, Josef Bican was a gem born in the same era. A player blessed with pace, technique and a penchant for scoring a bucket load of goals, he netted 800 goals in his entire career.
Apart from his goal-poaching abilities, Bican has also been known to wear not one or two but three international colours during his playing days.

After being a part of the German Wunderteam in the 1930s, Bican applied for a Czech citizenship while playing for Slavia Prague. He so went on to score 12 goals in 14 games for Czechoslovakia.

In 1939, Bican switched allegiances yet again, this time for Bohemia and Moravia in 1939, for whom he played only one game but scored a hattrick in the same.3. Thiago Motta

Thiago Motta’s CV as impressive as it gets; the former midfielder played for the likes of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and PSG in his twilight years. An enforcer blessed with good vision and passing skills, Motta represented Brazil on two occasions in 2003.

However, having not received an international call-up for Brazil in the next eight years, he decided to accept a call from Italy. Motta went on to earn 23 caps for the Azzuri later.2. Laszlo Kubala

Laszlo Kubala might be an unfamiliar name to football folks as a whole, but not to the most die-hard of Barcelona supporters. During their centenary celebrations in 1999, he was awarded the honour as the greatest player ever to have graced the Nou Camp.

He played for about 9 clubs in his career. However, the funnier fact is that he also swapped nationalities just as he swapped clubs!

Kubala played for five different countries in his career: Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Spain, Catalonia and Europe XI. He played most games for Spain, scoring 11 goals in 19 appearances.1. Alfredo di Stefano

Regarded as one of the most complete footballers to have graced the beautiful game, Alfredo Di Stefano had pretty much something of everything in his locker of skills. A Real Madrid legend who spearheaded their most successful European era in the 60s, he has gone down in history for his ability to affect the game single-handedly.

Coming to his international career, it is a lesser-known fact that Di Stefano represented three countries during his playing career. Even though he is predominantly referred to as an Argentinian, he earned only six caps for the country.

Di Stefano also made 7 appearances for Columbia and 23 appearances for Spain, also going down as the greatest player to have pulled on a La Roja shirt in 2003. The fact that a player like him never played a World Cup remains one of the greatest football tragedies of all time.