Ex-Super Eagles coach admits that he tried to get Bayern Munich star to play for Nigeria

BayernThe Bayern Munich star was eligible to play for three countries, but he chose Germany instead

Former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has revealed that he tried to get Bayern Munich wonderkid Jamal Musiala to play for Nigeria.

At just 19 years of age, Musiala has the world at his feet. The youngster has grown in leaps and bounds in recent years, and at his development rate, he could be a world-beater soon.

Born in Germany to a Nigerian father and a British mother, Musiala was eligible for the three countries. And choosing the nation to represent was not an easy task.

The Bayern Munich star spent his early years in England, featuring for the Chelsea and Southampton academies before joining Bayern Munich in 2019.

On the international scene, Musiala alternated between the English and German youth teams. The Stuttgart-born forward played for England at Under-15, 16, 17, and 21 levels, and he also featured for Germany at Under-16.

However, the youngster finally decided to play for Die Mannschaft in 2021. And the Germans wasted no time in blooding him in, as he was part of the squad for Euro 2020.

At 19, being a regular at Bayern Munich is no fluke, and Musiala proves his quality consistently.

With his talent, many would have wished that the youngster chose to represent Nigeria, and former Super Eagles coach Rohr is one of those.

In an interview with Owngoal, the Franco-German tactician reveals that after spotting Musiala in 2019 while he was still in the Bavarians’ cadet team, he approached him concerning playing for Nigeria.

 

“I wish I could have gotten Musiala to play for Nigeria, but he chose to play for Germany,” Rohr told Owngoal.

“He is a wonderful player, I met him when he was 17, and spoke with his agents and parents.

“Around that time, he couldn’t make a decision, and then a year later, he became what he is now, and that’s all.”

 

Musiala’s decision to ditch Nigeria, may not be criticized, as he grew up in Europe. And after playing for England and Germany at youth level, Nigeria would have been a vague option.