I Want To Play At the 2022 World Cup- Balogun

The former Mainz 05 star will turn 32 in June, but he still hopes to represent Nigeria at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 

Leon Balogun has revealed he intends to play for the Super Eagles at another world cup, while he also hopes to play in the Champions League before he retires.

The Wigan star made his debut for Nigeria in a 2014 pre-World Cup friendly game against Mexico. He was in contention to make the Super Eagles squad for the showpiece in Brazil but was ruled out after suffering an injury in the match against El Tri.

However, he was part of the team that qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, playing in all of Nigeria’s group games.

But following the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Balogun has fallen in the pecking order, and only received his first Super Eagles invitation in over six months last March.

With the increasing competition and Balogun’s advanced years, it appears he is coming to the end of his international career.

But Balogun insists he still has a lot to offer and would love to represent Nigeria in Qatar even though he will be 34 by then.

Speaking in an Instagram chat with Funny Bone, The German-born Nigerian says he wants to play at the 2022 World Cup and would like to experience the Champions League.

“For the future, I would love to play in another World Cup with the Super Eagles,” Balogun said. I’m in good shape, there are other players coming through, but let’s see how it goes. I’m turning 32, but I have confidence.

“At club level, I’d love to play in the champions league still, realistically like to play at the highest possible levels, have great memories,” he added.