In a blunt statement, former left-back of the Indomitable Lions destroyed the dual-national players who choose to play for their parents’ countries by default.
Former Cameroonian international defender Benoît Assou-Ekotto has spoken out on dual-national players.
The issue of dual-national players choosing between African and European national teams has been a hot topic for years. While some believe that players who have the option to choose between a European and an African national team often default to Africa, Benoît Assou-Ekotto has caused a stir with his very outspoken opinion.
In an interview on Philippe Simo’s podcast “Investing in the Country,” Benoît Assou-Ekotto used strong terms as usual. The former defender, now 40 years old, admitted to rejecting the French youth teams and expressed his confusion over Africans who decide to represent European countries.
“Does France come calling when I choose Cameroon? I never went to the pre-selections and youth selections. I didn’t have time to go there. And for what? From a very young age, I already knew I didn’t want to play for the French team. Many dual-national players go through all their youth stages with the French team but choose to play with African countries (Laughs).
Let’s tell the truth. They lie. If they had the opportunity to play for France, from a business point of view, it’s extraordinary. Most guys in the French team earn I don’t know how many millions a year. Why go with the youth teams if your heart is for Cameroon, Zambia, or Nigeria? I decided to play for Cameroon at a very young age. I had nothing to do with the French team. I have never regretted that choice. Except for money because I play for money. I play to put my family in the best conditions. But I prefer to be like that.”
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