Manchester United wonderkid Adnan Januzaj, has turned down the opportunity to represent Belgium at international level.
Coach of the Belgian national team, Marc Wilmots, made the first move to win the battle for the 18-year-old’s services and named him in the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying games against Wales and Croatia.
However, the teenager quickly rejected the chance and conveyed the message via the Premier League club. It is understood that Januzaj would rather play for Kosovo, who are yet to get UEFA membership, but Wilmots admitted he will try again for the winger.
“This was the first time I have tried to include him in a squad, because I wanted to send him a clear message,” he said. “Unfortunately, I had a very quick response from England, when Manchester United called me to say the player felt he was not ready to make a choice about his international future.
“I respect his stance. Every player has the right to make his own choice, and I will not attempt to make any sort of ultimatum to him. But I do intend meeting Adnan and his entourage to find out for myself exactly what their thoughts are. You cannot force a player to choose a country. It has to come from his heart.
“Clearly, when you have a player of his technique and ability, the door to the national team always stays open.”
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