By featuring in a competitive match for England's senior team on Tuesday night, Chelsea's Noni Madueke has ended any uncertainty about his international future.
The 22-year-old winger, who began the 2024-2025 season impressively, received his first call-up to the England squad for UEFA Nations League fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
Madueke, who was born in Barnet, England, qualified to represent Nigeria through his Nigerian parents. However, any hopes the Nigeria Football Federation had of persuading him to switch allegiance have dissipated following his debut for the Three Lions.
Super Eagles supporters may have been encouraged to see Madueke listed as a substitute in England's 2-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland on September 7. However, this optimism was short-lived.
In the match against Finland at Wembley Stadium, Madueke came on as a substitute for Arsenal's Bukayo Saka, another player who had been considered by the Nigerian Federation.
At 22 years and 184 days old, Madueke's opportunity to represent Nigeria has ended, unless his British citizenship is revoked. FIFA regulations allow a player to switch national teams if they have played up to three matches for a senior team before turning 21.
Madueke joins the ranks of other players like Dele Alli, Bukayo Saka, Ross Barkley, and Eberechi Eze, who are all committed to England. In the game against Finland, he made an impact by assisting Harry Kane for his second goal with fourteen minutes remaining.
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