Hot Momma Pajama.

This all depends if you’re an immigration or emigration country. Countries like Switzerland, Germany, France, England and the US, where immigraton is big naturally have a varied mix of heritage in their national sides - and I agree, they can only benefit from this. Other nations like Italy, Spain, Portugal and most of the Eastern European teams don’t have that benefit this much (well Portugal does with the Brasilians…but they rather keep the option of playing for Brasil. Hehe.).

I personally believe, that a young guy should play for the country he grew up in. This is the country that provided for everything - not the heritage country. It’s quite astonishing that in Switzerland most of the young players are excactely doing this. There are a few exceptions, mostly players with Italian roots, becasue they’d like to paly for the Squadra Azzura eventually. Somewhat understandable - but will they every be good enough to make the Italian side?

It also reflects on the player, when he chooses to play for his heritage country. Example: Basel striker Mladen Petric is not very liked with the Basel fans, even though he’s a dangerous, effective and quite spectacular goalgetter. The reason? He chose to play for Croatia (which he bearly makes), rather than Switzerland.

Posted from  Australia