Bournemouth midfielder Philip Billing has opened up on his decision not to pledge his international future to Nigeria.
Billing, 23 who is set to make his senior debut for Denmark in Saturday’s Euro 2020 qualifiers against Switzerland is eligible to play for Nigeria through his father.
The player was born in Denmark and has represented the country of his birth at various youth levels.
However, the defender told the Danish media that Nigeria International Alex Iwobi advised him to follow his footsteps and represent Nigeria at the international level.
Iwobi born in England to Nigerian parents played for the country of his birthday at the junior level, but represented Nigeria at full International level back in 2017 and has since gone to play at the FIFA World cup and CAF African Cup of Nations in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
Billing said “It wasn’t until when we (Cherries) were going to play against Everton a couple of weeks ago when Alex Iwobi asked if I might be interested in coming and playing for Nigeria,”
“It’s a pat on the back that another country would like you to play for them. I just take that as a shrug and proof that you are doing well.”
He, however, revealed that he declined the chances of playing for Nigeria because it would feel strange to do so.
“I am half Nigerian and I feel that way too but I was born and raised in Denmark. My mother is Danish and my sister is Danish, so it would feel strange to have to play for Nigeria.”
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