Issa Doumbia opts for Italy as Cote d’Ivoire lose race for midfielder

Issa Doumbia has chosen Italy over Cote d’Ivoire, despite a public appeal from Elephants manager Herve Renard for the 22-year-old midfielder to join his parents’ country.

The Sporting player was wanted by both nations and has now been selected by Italy manager Roberto Mancini for the Nations League, a year after representing Italy at the European Under-21 Championship.

Doumbia’s decision was confirmed shortly after Renard announced his squad for Cote d’Ivoire’s upcoming fixtures. The Elephants will face Ghana and Somalia in 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying on 24 and 29 September, before hosting Cameroon in a friendly on 3 October.

All three matches will be played at home.

Speaking at his news conference last Wednesday, Renard openly acknowledged that Cote d’Ivoire was competing with Italy for Doumbia’s international future.

“It is no secret that we are competing with another nation. We are doing our work. We travelled there, but in silence. (…) Now we will wait for his decision,” Renard said.

“I am not afraid to say in front of the entire Ivorian people that his arrival would be welcome, that Cote d’Ivoire and this Elephants team need him and that we hope he will make the choice of the heart.

“His parents are Ivorian and we hope he will join us as quickly as possible. It is a beautiful assist. Now it is up to him to finish.”

That appeal has ultimately not persuaded the player, who was born in Treviglio. Cote d’Ivoire will therefore have to move on without one of the young dual-national players it had hoped to add to its squad.

Doumbia is not the only player to have chosen Italy. Two other dual nationals have also committed themselves to the Italian national team: forward Mohamed Ali Zoma, 22, of Nuremberg, and central defender Eddy Kouadio, 20, of Monza.

Their decisions mean Cote d’Ivoire has lost out on three players who were being considered for the national side, as Italy strengthens its options with the trio ahead of its Nations League campaign.