Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, faced with the prospect of choosing between representing the Netherlands or Nigeria in international football, has disclosed his primary inclination towards the Dutch national team.
Despite being born in the Netherlands, Zirkzee holds Nigerian origins, creating a dual eligibility scenario.
The highly acclaimed striker, nurtured in part by Bayern Munich, has garnered recognition across Europe, notably contributing ten goals this season in both Serie A and the Italian Cup, playing a pivotal role in Bologna’s ascent to the 4th position in the league standings.
When queried about his preference for a potential national team call-up, Zirkzee emphasized that the decision between the Netherlands and Nigeria is not solely based on availability but also on the formidable competition within each team.
In his statement to soccernews, he remarked, “Nigeria is not a country that you choose because you cannot play for your country. The competition for strikers there is perhaps as strong as in the Dutch team.”
Acknowledging Nigeria’s formidable attacking lineup featuring talents like Boniface from Leverkusen and Osimhen from Naples, Zirkzee recognizes the depth of talent in both squads. Despite his affinity for Nigeria, he clarified, “But my dream has always been the Dutch national team.
And the European Championships are not necessarily a crossroads. If that doesn’t happen, I’ll look further. I would be grateful if that happened. Otherwise, I have to make sure they call me. You hope to be there one day.”
The 22-year-old striker, while expressing an openness to playing for Nigeria, unequivocally states that his ultimate aspiration lies in representing the Netherlands, emphasizing the significance of realizing his dream of donning the Dutch national team jersey.
Of course 😤 https://t.co/c0BJCnO9Tz pic.twitter.com/FeXD7FgnBj
— Bologna FC 1909 (@BolognaFC1909en) February 29, 2024
