Inter Milan striker Ange-Yoan Bonny has reportedly chosen to represent Ivory Coast at senior international level, turning his back on France despite progressing through their youth ranks.
The 22-year-old forward is said to have finalised his decision ahead of the March international window, opening the door for a potential debut with the Elephants.
According to Ivorian journalist Sanh Séverin, cited by FCInterNews, Bonny has opted to align his international career with Ivory Coast, making himself available for selection under head coach Emerse Fae.
The move signals a significant boost for the African champions as they prepare for upcoming international competitions, including the FIFA World Cup scheduled for next summer.
Bonny previously represented France at multiple youth levels, most recently featuring for the Under-21 side.
However, he failed to establish himself as a regular scoring threat, making two appearances for the team without finding the net. Having steadily progressed through France’s development system, many expected him to eventually secure a senior call-up.
Instead, the former Parma striker has chosen a different path, embracing the opportunity to represent Ivory Coast, where he is eligible through his heritage.
His decision comes during a strong individual season with Inter Milan, where he has registered seven goals and six assists across all competitions, emerging as a reliable attacking option within the squad.
Bonny’s expected inclusion would strengthen Ivory Coast’s attacking options as Emerse Fae continues building a competitive squad capable of challenging at global level. His pace, physical presence, and ability to link play could provide the Elephants with additional versatility in forward areas.
For France, the decision represents the loss of another promising dual-nationality talent in an already competitive attacking pool. For Ivory Coast, however, Bonny’s commitment offers a timely reinforcement as the West African nation aims to maintain its resurgence following recent continental success.
If confirmed, Bonny could receive his first senior call-up as early as March, marking a new chapter in his international career while providing Ivory Coast with another exciting attacking prospect ahead of the World Cup.
