BERGAMO, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 11: Caleb Okoli of Atalanta BC before the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and US Cremonese at Gewiss Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images)
The youngster is eligible for two countries, but he has revealed where his allegiances lie
Super Eagles-eligible defender Caleb Okoli has revealed that he will only play for Nigeria if he does not get called up to the Italian national team, Soccernet reports.
Okoli burst onto the scene two seasons ago. He started from the Atalanta academy and started playing senior team football after a loan transfer to Serie B side SPAL. Then, after a year, he joined Cremonese.
The 22-year-old midfielder spent last season at Atalanta and made 17 appearances for the club. Okoli did not impress much, and this summer, La Dea sent him out on another loan deal to newly-promoted Frosinone. However, he is yet to play a competitive game for the club.
The youngster is yet to sort out his club career, but questions over his international career have already been raised. The 22-year-old centre-back was born in Italy to Nigerian parents. As such, he is eligible to represent both countries.
Okoli has spoken about his plans, and he has revealed that for him, representing Italy would be exciting. But if that does not work out, he could play for Nigeria.
“I think I’m lucky to be able to play for two countries. I always talk to my parents about it,” Okoli said, per Napoli Magazine.
“For now, I’m thinking about playing and achieving the team goal, then the national team will be a consequence.
“I hope for a call from Spalletti and to play with the Italian national team, which is of the highest level in the future. if the call from Italy doesn’t arrive, I could make the decision on the Nigerian national team.”
Okoli is still a peripheral player, and except for a stroke of luck or an unprecedented great run of games, it would take quite some time before he gets a national team.
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At 22 with what you are playing now you expect Italy to give you a call up? Just make up your mind and pray that Nigeria calls you because I have watched your matches and I know that Nigeria has better defenders than you. You are talking as if Nigeria is that bad left over in football.
Well said bro but am not interested in Nigeria calling up such an arrogant prat. At the end of the day, he isnt even exceptional
u don't even deserve to wear a Nigerian Jersey Mfk
you won't even make it in Nigeria national team..so rest
You're 22, and not even in the first team at Atalanta, and you're the same age group as Calvin Bassey(23), who is more experienced than you with teams like Rangers, Ajax and Fulham. Italy has always favoured experienced defenders rarely do they use young centre-backs. Francesco Acerbi is 35 years old, Leonardo Bonucci is 36 years old, Rafael Tolói is 32 years old, Alessio Romagnoli is 28 and is not even the first choice centre-back.
Giorgio Scalvini(19), Federico Gatti(25), Alessandro Bastoni (24 years) are all ahead of you, and being groomed for the future.
the real fact is not even 22
I don't know don't understand this boy, what makes you think Nigeria will give you a call up to play for super eagles? We have bunch of talented players both home and away who are ready to play for the National Team, yet they could not get an invitation to join the great Super Eagles. My advice for you is to focus more on your club career.
I don’t understand this boy, what makes you think Nigeria will give you a call up to play for Super Eagles? We have bunch of talented players both home and away who are ready to play for the National Team, yet they could not get an invitation to join the great Super Eagles. My advice for you is to focus more on your club career.
The way he think about the situation is unbelievable. He is already 22 and still not even regular in his club and talks about preferring Italy to Nigeria? ridiculous. try to focus first on club career and then afterwards about national. But I think it is still some miles away to be called up for Italy national team
We don't need this guy if Itsly does not call him. I respect his choice.
That boy is not serious! What does he take Nigeria for or to be, did he speak to his parents before making that stupid comment. O boy! forget about you ever wearing Nigeria's Jersey. What an arrogant boy! Nonsense!