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#8 Diego Costa | Spain
In March 2013, Diego Costa was playing for the Brazilian team. By February 2014, the Atletico Mineiro star was on the pitch in Spain's colors. As controversy naturally follows Costa, it's not surprising that his exit from the Brazilian national team was hardly peaceful or straightforward. Having played only two games for Brazil, both friendlies, Spain asked FIFA for permission to call up Diego Costa, who had just gotten his Spanish citizenship in 2013.
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Costa himself sent a letter to Brazil's football association, openly declaring his intentions to play for Spain instead. Brazil were understandably upset and reacted by opening a request to revoke the star's citizenship, which was later denied. Although he still gets booed by Brazilian fans during national games, Diego Costa has gone on to win 24 caps for Spain, scoring 10 goals.
#7 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | Gabon
Arsenal's marksman was born in France but eventually joined AC Milan's youth academy. Due to his brilliance, Italy U-19 courted the star but he chose to go with the France U-21 side instead. Although he had seemingly picked France, and he was also eligible to play in Spain, Aubameyang threw his weight behind Gabon, where his father is from. The Gunners star explained that his father had captained Gabon's national team, which was a key decision-maker for him,
So far, Aubameyang has been Gabon's top goalscorer with 27 goals in 68 appearances for the country. Unfortunately for the star, Gabon is yet to win a competition, but his personal accolades are numerous on the national stage. He has notably won the African Player of the Year award as well.
#6 Taulant Xhaka | Albania
Both Taulant and his brother Granit were born in Switzerland after their parents emigrated from Yugoslavia. Taulant began his international career playing for Switzerland U-17, and rose through the ranks to U-21. He notably played 41 youth games for his country. However, in May 2013, the star made his decision to officially switch allegiance to Albania, explaining that is choice was influenced by his brother Granit.
By December 2013, Taulant Xhaka received Albanian citizenship, but got approval from FIFA to officially represent Albania in June 2014, having already played friendlies with the national team. So far, Xhaka has made 31 caps for Albania, and although he has not played a major fixture for the side since 2019.
#5 Gonzalo Higuain | Argentina
El Pipita, as Higuain is fondly called, has made his mark as one of only three foreign-born players to play for Argentina in a World Cup. Born in France, the star had to choose between the French national side and Argentina, where he had spent most of his growing years. Eventually, the star picked Argentina, accepting a call-up for the Olympics in 2008.
His career with Argentina's national football side has been nothing short of spectacular, with the star appearing in 75 official games and scoring 41 goals. In 2019, Higuain retired from international football, having picked up a runners-up World Cup medal in 2014. The star now plies his trade in the MLS, alongside his brother Federico Higuain.
