Januzaj snubs offer to play for Belgium

Adnan Januzaj has plenty of options

Manchester United youth sensation Adnan Januzaj has turned down Belgium’s bid to include him in their squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Croatia and Wales. This is being considered to be a boost for English manager Roy Hodgson to try harder in order to secure his services for England.

Belgian manager Marc Wilmots made his intentions clear when he included the teenager in the national squad, but the youngster conveyed his message through Old Trafford officials citing the reason that he will need more time to decide his future in international football.

Januzaj’s family originally hailed from war infested Kosovo and his family has expressed the wish that he would like to play for his own country. But in the event of Kosovo not having UEFA membership, it seems Belgium is the prime destination for the youth sensation Adnan Januzaj.

The Belgian coach was quite philosophical while reacting to the rejection, but he insisted that he will try his best to convince Januzaj and his family to agree the terms before next year’s FIFA World Cup.

“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.”

He also added, “Clearly, when you have a player of his technique and ability, the door to the national team always stays open.”

The signal is very clear. Belgium wants the youngster quite badly and if this is only the start of the negotiation process.