Represent...

When a national team runs out onto the pitch and their national anthem plays a special connection brings the players together. The national bond they hold goes beyond just picking up a football kit and saying from now on this is the team I represent. These footballers should not only feel the spotlight, but the heart that beats for the country they represent. However, through increased globalization the issue of footballers representing a national side far different from their roots has been one of FIFA's constant battles. Recently, Manchester United's young Albanian, Serbian, Turkish and Belgian born star Adnan Januzaj made a name for himself by scoring two goals in United's win over Sunderland. Through his background though, he got caught up in the ongoing struggle over naturalization in football. All these reports started surfacing that Belgian team coach Marc Wilmots wanted to call him up against Croatia, while claims surfaced that England was even interested in naturalizing the ethnic Balkan. Januzaj has yet to make a decision. In the past couple of years, FIFA has been trying to keep a lid on the naturalization of players from getting too carried away. The rulings have constantly changed through special committees and constant amendments. Today, for a player to represent a national team they must be a citizen of the country and either be a resident for more than 5 years or show a connection through a family member. Even with all the ruling there's still a false sense of pride behind it all. Take myself for example. I was born in Poland and I am a naturalized citizen living in the States for well over 5 years. If I was ever a pro and the time came to make a decision I would only choose Poland. I have a strong connection to my homeland and I feel that if I ever represented the States I would be disconnected and never accepted because eventually everyone would see where my heart lies. Whenever a foreign player comes into a national team's dressing room there's the sense of there's us and then there's him and no other country creates so many 'hims' like Brazil. Some of the hottest Brazilian exports have featured across countless national sides in Europe like Roger/Poland, Eduardo/Croatia and Pepe/Portugal to name a few. These players can incorporate themselves in the squad and play well, but there's still an element of the outsider. Apart from the immigrant player there's also the question of the player who chooses to play for their parent's home country. There's no better example of this than the Boateng brothers. Kevin Prince Boateng represented countless German national youth sides, but after a falling out with the coaching staff he decided to accept an offer to represent Ghana, the country of his father's birth. At the same time, his brother Jerome Boateng represents the German national side on a regular basis. Two brothers with the same blood representing two completely different national sides. There's no doubt in my mind that both players have the right to represent their respective sides, but maybe players should start considering what it means to stand in front of a nation representing its ideals as its peoples look on. Still, one of the major culprits behind the naturalized footballer issue is spotlight. Many great players from the top national sides might never get the chance to get called up. Therefore, if they can get the opportunity to represent any other side then their name gets out there on the world stage. A player doesn't just stand out through their skill, but they look different from everybody else. Representing a national side has become a way of branding, so players get exposure. This branding is one of the newest approaches along with globalized integration within the many leagues and the emergence of modern football, but with all of this heart and meaning get lost. Therefore, my advice to Januzaj is very clear. Don't choose a national side at all. As a footballer your heart and soul should already be there.