🧵: 8 Players Who Switched National Teams

International football is full of drama  and nothing stirs debate like a player changing allegiances.

Here are 8 big names who swapped shirts and rewrote their careers👇

1. Declan Rice (Republic of Ireland → England)

🇮🇪➡️🏴 Played 3 friendlies for Ireland, but in 2019 pledged to England.

📌 What happened next: Now a Euro 2020 finalist and a core part of TUCHEL’s midfield.

See also: 10 Iconic Duos Who Tore Football Apart Together

2.  Dejan Kulusevski (North Macedonia → Sweden)

🇲🇰➡️🇸🇪 Born in Stockholm to Macedonian parents. Represented North Macedonia U17, but switched to Sweden youth and senior levels.

📌 What happened next: Broke through in 2019, starred at Euro 2020, and is now seen as part of Sweden’s future alongside Alexander Isak.

3.  Diego Costa (Brazil → Spain)

🇧🇷➡️🇪🇸 Played friendlies for Brazil, but controversially switched to Spain in 2014.

📌 What happened next: Featured in two World Cups for La Roja.

4.  Jack Grealish (Republic of Ireland → England)

🇮🇪➡️🏴 Represented Ireland youth teams, but switched allegiances in 2015.

📌 What happened next: Debuted for England in 2020, became a Euro 2020 finalist and cult favorite.

See also: Orlando Pride makes Ovalle most expensive women's player of all-time

5.  Kalidou Koulibaly (France → Senegal)

🇫🇷➡️🇸🇳 Born in France, but opted for Senegal in 2015.

📌 What happened next: Captained them to their first-ever AFCON title in 2022.

6.  Kevin-Prince Boateng (Germany → Ghana)

🇩🇪➡️🇬🇭 Came through Germany’s youth system, but switched to Ghana before the 2010 World Cup.

📌 What happened next: Shone in South Africa, facing his brother Jérôme (Germany) in a historic clash.

7.  Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (France → Gabon)

🇫🇷➡️🇬🇦 Born in France to a Gabonese father (an international) and Spanish mother. He played for France youth sides before choosing Gabon in 2009.

📌 What happened next: Captained the Panthers, scored 30 goals in 72 appearances, and led them to a historic AFCON quarter-final.

See also: 8 Substitutes Who Came On & Changed Football Forever 🔥⚽️

8.  Wilfried Zaha (England → Ivory Coast)

🏴➡️🇨🇮 Born in Abidjan, raised in London. After two senior friendlies for England, he switched in 2017.

📌 What happened next: Became a regular for Ivory Coast, scoring at AFCON 2019 & 2021  but was omitted from the 2023 title-winning squad.

From Costa’s controversy to Koulibaly’s triumph and Aubameyang’s historic choice, these switches shaped careers and countries.

👉 Which national team switch shocked you the most?