Originally Posted by
cfdh_edmundo
Parfait Mandanda, brother of Steve Mandanda (french 2nd choice national keeper) played U21s for France but plays nationally for the Congo DR. He was born in Nevers, central France and has never lived in Congo DR.
Kevin Prince Boateng, German mother, Ghanian father, born in Berlin, never lived in Ghana, played U15 through to U21 for Germany, played at the last World Cup for Ghana.
Mourad Meghni, born in Paris, Algerian Parents, never lived in Algeria, played for U17-U21s for France, was in the Algerian team at this years African Nations Cup. Same scenario with Antar Yahia (born in Mulhouse, France, played for France at U16-U18s); same with Belhadj (born Jura, played for France U18); same with Bellaid (born in northern Paris, played U16,18,21 for France, also could have played for Tunisia as well)... There are several more in the Algerian team who played youth football for France, born in France and never lived in Algeria - e.g. Medjani, Yebda, Abdoun, Boudebouz.
Chretien of Morocco (born in Nancy, only ever played for Nancy, played for french youth teams) also El Ahmadi and Mounir El Hamdaoui (born in Holland played for Dutch national youth teams) and El Zahar (played schoolboy football for France). Kaba Diawara was born in France and played U21 football for them but now plays for Guinea.
Even in other continents you have the likes of Jermaine Jones born in Frankfurt played for Germany U21s now plays for the Americans.
So I think it's disingenuous to say your definitions cover "pretty much every international footballer in Europe" and even if you were to now back-track and say "oh I meant only players playing for European nations" the likes of Ludovic Obraniak (born in Metz, played U21 for France, now plays for Poland) and Damien Perquis (same except born in Troyes) disprove the statement, even ignoring ex-USSR/Yugoslavia issues.
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