Bench role will do – Rangers’ Leon Balogun hungry for Super Eagles return

Super Eagles and Rangers defender, Leon Aderemi Balogun, has reiterated his desire to play for Nigeria in the upcoming International break, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 36-year-old versatile defender has been a regular for Philippe Clement's side this season after being on the fringes of the team last term.

Balogun, in 19 games for the Gers this season, has managed to get on the offensive side of things, scoring a goal and providing an assist, and is hungry to convey his energy to the Nigerian National team ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March, even if it's just by being a player on Eric Chelle's substitute's bench.

“If I’m involved in some type of way, you know you’re going to get 110% from me always, and I’ll try to push that onto the rest. Whether I’m playing from the bench, I don’t care. For me, my personal target when it comes to Nigeria is to get back in the squad as soon as possible to be of help,” the former Mainz 05 man said as revealed by Brila.

Get Our Sports News First – Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!

This isn't the first time the former Brighton and Hove Albion defender has stated his desire to don the green and white of the Super Eagles again.

“It’s not that I’ve not accepted an invitation ever. Unfortunately, right before the World Cup break, I suffered an injury that was supposed to last a few weeks but didn’t go the way it was supposed to. I just couldn’t come I was not fit yet and after I got fit, then I relapsed but since then I haven’t had a lengthy injury spell.

“I have always been available. I’ve never said that I retired from international football, and I think the people who need to know are aware that I’m still very much willing and ambitious to represent the national team,” the Germany-born defender said as previously reported by Soccernet.ng.

Balogun's last game for the Nigerian National Team came in Nigeria’s 10-0 victory over Sao Tome and Principe in June 2022 where he came off the bench for the final nineteen minutes.