Former Liverpool defender Tiago Abiola Almeida Ilori has revealed that he regretted turning down the opportunity to represent Nigeria at full international level.
Ilori eligible to play for Nigeria, England, and Portugal, because he was born in England to a Nigerian father and a Portuguese mother.
The defender however decided to represent the Portuguese nation side at the age-grade level but yet to make his full international debut at the age of 26.
The player has now ruled out Nigeria the possibility of switching allegiance to Nigeria but regretted turning down the opportunity to join the West African country when he was approached in the past.
“I think I would like to stay loyal to Portugal as I’ve played in every age group for them, but I would never close any doors and there is no decision to make yet. If I have the choice then it is not a bad choice to have. I lived in a few places around Kentish Town. I was eight when we moved to Portugal. My mum is a Portuguese”. Ilori told the Liverpool Echo back then.
“Sometimes you take decisions that look like the best for you but in the long run it isn’t what it is. I had the chance of playing for Nigeria but I was focus on Portugal. Maybe I should have given it a shot with Nigeria because their project back then would have still have me in it till now.” he said.
Ilori who is on the book of Sporting CP after leaving English championship side Reading has made 39 appearances for Portugal across all age grade national team , but he’s still waiting for the opportunity to play for the Selecao.
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