Question from a casual soccer fan

[Culture Rot]

Why are there players of other nationalities playing for teams and countries that are not their own? For example, italian players on british teams,black players on italian teams, russian players on french teams, you get the point. How/why does this happen? Doesn't it defeat the purpose?

[Krebstar]

I was going to answer, until you mentioned black players on Italian teams. As if being black and Italian are mutually exclusive.

You have a lot more to learn about the world before you can understand the world of the sport.

[mb625]

I *think* that the reason is that in international competition if you hold citizenship in a certain country you can play for them. For instance, if I held Russian and English citizenship, but was from Russia, I could still play for England. (Though perhaps someone who knows more than I can fill in the blanks or correct me completely.) But I do agree with Krebstar's point.

[Culture Rot]

Quote: Originally Posted by mb625

I *think* that the reason is that in international competition if you hold citizenship in a certain country you can play for them. For instance, if I held Russian and English citizenship, but was from Russia, I could still play for England. (Though perhaps someone who knows more than I can fill in the blanks or correct me completely.) But I do agree with Krebstar's point.

i see that makes sense thanks

[eyeamg0dly]

or the most obvious reason. team from another country wants you to play for their team so they offer you a contract to do so. you get the correct visas and other work related documents and then you go there to play. the big teams scout across the world, and if you are any good someone will find you.

it is alot like how the MLB teams scout in other countries with the exception that foreign players are not drafted and instead sign as free agents.

[gopher_guy]

Quote: Originally Posted by xlatinoheatx

Why are there players of other nationalities playing for teams and countries that are not their own? For example, italian players on british teams,black players on italian teams, russian players on french teams, you get the point. How/why does this happen? Doesn't it defeat the purpose?

I didn't know that Mario Balotelli was not Italian......

[dickey1331]

Quote: Originally Posted by gopher_guy

I didn't know that Mario Balotelli was not Italian......

I think he was born in Ghana and eventually got Italian citizenship.


Do you really care where I sent this from?

[Culture Rot]

Quote: Originally Posted by gopher_guy

I didn't know that Mario Balotelli was not Italian......

I wasnt making reference to any specific player, I was just throwing random examples out there.