Top 10 Footballers Who Didn’t Play For Their Native Country

Which players in the world of football did not play for their native country? Native ; Being a place or environment in which a person was born. From the definition we can tell what this list is all about. In the game of football there is some times when a player has dual nationality have to make a very tough decision on which side they will commit their services to. Some of these decision are not tough in situations were a player doesn’t even need to weigh his options due to one of the country being very poor in terms of football. These decisions really make fans hate players as they feel that he has betrayed his nation and chosen another country of theirs.

However some of these players who have decided to play for other than their native country have a concrete reason for doing so.  Some its due to family issues and the others. So who is in your mind now? Is it Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling? or Ferenc Puskas? Well reading this article on the Top 10 Footballers Who Didn’t Play For Their Native Country is the only way to prove yourself wrong or right.

Ten Footballers Who Didn’t Play For Their Native Country

Previously we published an article on the Top 10 Worst Footballers Ever and Top 10 One Man Teams in Football History . If you have not read these yet , don’t forget to do so after this .

Here are the Top 10 Footballers Who Didn’t Play For Their Native Country :

10. Deco

Starting off the Top 10 Footballers Who Didn’t Play For Their Native Country  the former professional footballer Deco. The Brazilian born Deco who played for high profile clubs like Porto, FC Barcelona and Chelsea did not play for his native country Brazil but decided to play for the European team Portugal. Deco was a world class mid fielder and pulled off fine strings of passes to set his team mates free. However Brazil did not recognize his brilliance but Portugal in the year 2003 called him up to represent them which he accepted and went on to make his debut against Brazil in a game which he scored a winner.

9. Nani

Another Portuguese international player makes the list at number nine and this time its former Manchester United mid field player Luis Nani . The former Manchester United winger whose native country is Cape Verde decided to chose Portugal in preference to the African out fits . Nani is a terrific player and when his in form he does wonders. The current Portuguese player has one though that brings him down and its his inconsistency.

He was first called to the Portuguese national team in 2006 and the Portuguese international player has gone on to receive 88 caps for his nation.

8. Gonzalo Higuani

In sixth place is Gonzalo Higuani the former Real Madrid striker. Higuani is one of the world class strikers that Argentina has had in recent years. Unlike most of his Argentine team mates , Gonzalo Higuani was not born in Argentina but was born in France. Gonzalo Higuani is a holder of a French passport and the current Napoli star had to apply for Argentine Nationality in 2007 in order to play for Argentina.

The Napoli striker has made a total of 52 caps for Argentina and has scored 25 goals for his national team.

7. Lukas Podolski

Lukas Podolski the Former FC Koln , Bayern Munich and Arsenal front man was originally born in Poland in the city of Gliwice. The footballer first came to be noticed during his time with German club FC Koln. He attracted interests from many clubs and managed to sign for German giants Bayern Munich were he became a prolific Striker. However, Lukas Podolski decided to play for the German national team rather than his native team Poland. His decision was respected by many due to the fact that when Poland manager was asked about Podolski he answered by say that Poland had better players .

Lukas Podolski has managed 126 caps and 48 goals for Germany. He was part of the World Cup winning team during the 2014 world cup campaign.

6. Marcel Desailly

In sixth place is Marcel Desailly. The Former France international professional footballer was not born in France but was born in Africa, Accra Ghana. He was part of the French team that won the World Cup back in 1998 and was also part of the Euro 2000 winning team. Both of his parents were from Ghana and he himself was raised in Ghana. Many criticized him and his national team decision brought a lot of Controversy .

However Marcel Desailly who played for clubs like Marseille , Milan and Chelsea said he felt more attached with France and was happy with his decision.

5. Clarence Seedorf

In fifth place is the Netherlands former footballer Clarence Seedorf . Seedorf was not actually born in Netherlands but was born in Suriname. He is one of the greatest players that have ever worn the Dutch jersey and as a result he had a lot of Honours during his playing days. Clarence Seedorf won four Champions league titles and was twice named as Dutch footballer of year.

Clarence Seedorf is regarded as one of the most decorated Dutch players and most successful in Champions League history winning the title with three different club, once with Ajax, once with Real Madrid and Twice with AC Milan .

4. Pepe

Its like the Portuguese national team just keeps popping up. In fourth place is Pepe who is the last Brazil born player on the list. The Real Madrid man has become a regular in the Portuguese line up and ever since making his Portuguese debut in 2006 the Portuguese national team player has made about 67 appearances. Pepe is well known for his aggressiveness on the ball and short temper. The Portuguese defender was sent during the 2014 world cup match against world champions Germany in a game Portugal lost 4-0.

3. Patrick Viera

In third place an rounding up the France 1998 team is Patrick Viera. Viera finds himself on this list due to the fact that he was not actually born in France but was instead born in Dakar Senegal . He moved to France at the age of eight and it was destined that if he were to become a real great footballer France was going to be his new home and thats what happened. Shortly after joining the Gunners Arsenal Patrick Viera was called for international duty and made his debut during the year 1997. He manged to help France win the 1998 World Cup, Euro and Confederations Cup. He managed to make 107 appearances.

2. Miroslav Klose

Runners up is Miroslav Klose who just like Lukas Podolski was born in Poland. Unlike the Lukas Podolski incident Poland were eager for the front man to represent them on the international level . However Klose had his mind made up and turned down the offer to play for Poland and later went on to represent Germany. Miroslav Klose has gone down in history books as one of the greatest German plays and was part of the 2014 World Cup winning team.

He is currently the all time World Cup leading top goal scorer.

1. Eusebio

In first place is the Portuguese legend Eusebio. He tops the list on the Top 10 Footballers Who Didn’t Play For Their Native Country . He was born in Mozambique but played for the Portuguese national team. He is considered the greatest player to play for Portugal with only currently Cristiano Ronaldo shows to be bringing competition for the legend. Eusebio won eleven Portuguese titles and one European cup with Benfica.

During the 1966 World Cup Eusebio was awarded the Golden Boot.