Roman Ferber: Luxembourg’s top scorer earns Madagascar call-up after 21 goals in 22 games

Roman Ferber has been called up by Madagascar for the first time and could make his international debut at the age of 33, following an outstanding season in Luxembourg.

The Belgian striker received his maiden selection for the Barea after changing his sporting nationality. For a player who has spent much of his career in Belgium’s lower divisions, the opportunity represents a significant and unexpected development.

Ferber was born in Mons in 1993 and has represented a number of Belgian clubs during his career, including RAEC Mons, Sporting Charleroi, Excel Mouscron, Union Saint-Gilloise, Francs Borains, Patro Eisden and Olympique Charleroi. He now plays for Atert Bissen in Luxembourg.

It was at Atert Bissen that Ferber enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career. He finished last season as Luxembourg’s leading scorer after registering 21 goals in 22 league appearances, helping the club secure the championship title.

The forward has continued to show ambition this season and also had the chance to play in the Champions League last summer. Atert Bissen faced KI Klaksvik of the Faroe Islands in the first qualifying round, with Ferber completing both matches and scoring in the second leg.

Those performances brought him to the attention of Madagascar manager Corentin Martins. Ferber is eligible for selection through a family connection to Martins’ spouse and has now been included in the Madagascar squad for the first time.

He could therefore become an international at 33, with Madagascar preparing to begin their qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Barea face Nigeria away on 25 September in their opening qualifier. They will then play Tanzania four days later in Meknes, Morocco.

Ferber is not the only player with a background in Belgian football to feature for Madagascar. The squad also includes former Charleroi midfielder Marco Ilaimaharitra and former Union Berlin player Loic Lapoussin.