"Why I Never Represented Nigeria" - AC Milan Star Opens Up

"Why I Never Represented Nigeria" - AC Milan Star Opens Up

By BSN Sports 

AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori has clarified why he never represented Nigeria at international level, stating that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) never extended an official invitation despite his eligibility, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

In an interview on the Filthy Fellas Podcast, the 27-year-old centre-back, born in Calgary to Nigerian parents said the absence of formal contact from Nigeria left him with only one realistic pathway in international football: England.

According to a report by Daily Post on Thursday, Tomori explained that although he had strong personal ties to Nigeria and maintained close relationships with several Super Eagles players, including Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, and Ademola Lookman, no approach was ever made by the NFF.

Tomori first represented Canada at youth level before switching to England’s U-19 team, eventually breaking into the Three Lions’ senior squad. He rose to prominence during his breakthrough season at Chelsea under Frank Lampard in 2019/2020 and has since built a successful career in Serie A with AC Milan.

Reflecting on his international journey, he said the decision to represent England was not a rejection of Nigeria but a consequence of the situation presented to him.

“It’s not like I wouldn’t have played there,” Tomori said. “But they never called me, so I never had a choice to make. If Nigeria called me, I would have a decision to make, but they never officially called me.”

Despite being capped by England, Tomori could still switch his international allegiance under FIFA rules, though such a move appears increasingly unlikely given his established position in Gareth Southgate’s squad.