Wilfried Zaha on his return to the national team: “Sorry… if they call me, I’ll…”

Queried about his return to the national team, Ivorian international Wilfried Zaha gave a clear response. For those who believe he harbors a grudge against Emerse Faé or the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF), he gave a surprising answer.

After Emerse Faé’s appointment as head coach of the Ivorian national team, fans of Wilfried Zaha were hopeful that the coach would call him up for selection.

However, to their disappointment, the Galatasaray forward was not included in the squad list for the Elephants’ two matches. Emerse Faé justified this by stating that the coaching staff wanted to continue with the players who participated in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN). This non-selection for the national team could have incited Wilfried Zaha, but his reaction was rather unexpected. When asked if he was still ready to defend his country’s colors, he replied with a resounding yes.

“Sorry if I’m straightforward and direct. But that’s my nature. I say what I believe is right or wrong. Ivory Coast is my country. If I’m called up for national team duty, I’ll go without hesitation,” the footballer’s remarks, as reported by Média Prime Mag, stated.

It’s worth noting that while Wilfried Zaha is willing to return to the national team, his elder brother holds a different opinion. During the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, he expressed his stance on the matter, sparking discussions online. Carin Zaha disclosed that he advised his younger brother to return to the national team only if Didier Drogba became the president of the Ivorian Football Federation. Otherwise, Ivorians might as well forget about their striker.

“Honestly, I tell my little brother: ‘If Drogba is at the helm of the Federation and they call you up, you must come.’

But as long as the current president is in charge (Idriss Diallo), then I say no to them. Wilfried won’t come. He shouldn’t come. It’s humiliating for me.

We need a change in leadership, and we need Drogba. It was he, along with Gervinho, who persuaded Wilfried to choose Ivory Coast over England,” Carin Zaha revealed.