The Bayern Munich youngster follows in the footsteps of some other big names who turned down the Three Lions
Bayern Munich youngster Jamal Musiala turned down England for Germany in 2021, joining the likes of Gareth Bale, Scott McTominay and more in rejecting the Three Lions.
The decision came as something of a blow for England, with Musiala having represented the country at various youth levels and looking like a future senior international.
So who else had the opportunity to play for England, but ultimately snubbed them for another country? Goal takes a closer look.
GettyJamal Musiala | Germany
Stuttgart-born Jamal Musiala had played mainly for England at youth level (turning out for Germany U16s twice), but dropped something of a shock on Three Lions fans when he declared for Germany in 2021.
“I’ve thought about this question a lot,” he told . “What is best for my future? Where do I have more chances to play?
"In the end, I just listened to the feeling that over a long period of time kept telling me that it was the right decision to play for Germany, the land I was born in.
"Still, it wasn’t an easy decision for me.”
AdvertisementGettyAlex Iwobi | Nigeria
Arsenal youth academy product Alex Iwobi represented England at Under-16, Under-17 and Under-18 level before declaring for Nigeria in 2015. Born in Lagos, winger Iwobi has since gone on to play for the Super Eagles at the World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations. He even scored against England in a friendly match at Wembley ahead of the 2018 World Cup.
GettyGareth Bale | Wales
Gareth Bale was eligible to play for England through his grandmother, but dismissed the idea that he would ever have played for them, saying: "It is an honour to play for Wales… Nobody ever got in touch with me personally from England, only through my agent." A history maker in the Champions League with Real Madrid, Bale is the Dragons' leading goalscorer of all time, having surpassed the tally of legendary striker Ian Rush in 2018.
GettyVictor Moses | Nigeria
Victor Moses played for both England's U19 and U21 teams after arriving in the country as a child asylum seeker. He then, however, opted to represent Nigeria, where he was born. Despite turning out for the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Inter, Moses may not have been a regular starter for the Three Lions – though he became an important member of the Super Eagles squad before retiring in the aftermath of the 2018 World Cup.