'Emotions also matter': Legend backs Laporte and Musiala's decision to change nationalities at Euros

The group stages of Euro 2024 has just concluded and the fixtures for the round of 16 are set. With teams like Germany, Spain, England, Portugal, Italy and France having all progressed to the next round, the knockout phases of Euro 2024 cannot come soon enough. 

Until now perhaps the player of the tournament has been Germany's young sensation in Jamal Musiala. He has really hit the ground running in the Euros campaign with his goals and Germany. Alongside Jamal Musiala, Spain's Centre Back Aymeric Laporte has also enjoyed a decent campaign. 

However, there has been a discussion around Jamal Musiala about how he has changed his nationalities from England to Germany to get into the national side. Musiala represented England in Under 19 and youth sides. Both Musiala and Laporte changed their nationalities back in 2021. A similar debate was done around Aymeric Laporte (French to Spain) and Declan Rice (Republic of Ireland to England).  

With players who change their nationalities to get a starting roles in major international tournaments often being criticised for their actions, India's greatest footballing icon and recently retired Captain, Leader, Legend, Sunil Chhetri has come out in support of these players and cited the discussions as unfair. 

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Sunil Chhetri defends Aymeric Laporte and Jamal Musiala

Sunil Chhetri is currently on broadcast duties at the ongoing Euro 2024 and in his recent media adress, Chhetri was quizzed upon his views on these players changing their nationalities. 

To which Sunil Chhetri responded that he is all for players changing their nationalities and explained that is one of the toughest decision a player has to make in their career. 

“I've never been in that position but I can tell you it is not that one clear cut reason why players change their nationalities. It is not like I tried till 21 and I couldn't play, let me change. Emotions also matter, what you feel for the country also matters, where you want to take your nationalities also matter. And you'll be shocked when you're changing nationalities you have already talked with the players of that nationalities and how they behave with you also matters. All these things taken into account is why a player chooses to change nationalities,” said Sunil Chhetri defending Jamal Musiala and Aymeric Laporte. 

Sunil Chhetri further went on to say that changing a nationality is a big risk that any player takes and affirmed that even if a player changed their nationalities, they are not guaranteed a starting role for their new nation.   

“Just imagine if you are born in India and have roots for Japan and let's suppose you want to play for Japan. Unless, you talk to the Japanese boys, the culture their, how accomodating they are you will not take the plunge. Even if you're allowed the passport you will probably would want to know what the coach thinks, what the players think, what the comraderie is. So I am pretty sure changing nationality is not easy. Nothing is guaranteed today whoever wants to change nationalities, it's not guaranteed whether you will start or not. It is not any easy decision and it's not only based one criteria and I think players look at different criterias,” concluded Sunil Chhetri. 

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Laporte and Musiala can meet each other in Quarterfinals

Spain and Germany are on the same side of the Euro 2024 knockouts draw. Spain will face Georgia in the Round of 16 of the tournament whereas Germany will face Denmark. If Spain were to win against Georgia and Germany were to beat Denmark then both Spain and Germany will face each other in the quarterfinals of the tournament. It could mean both Aymeric Laporte and Jamal Musiala will lock horns with each other.