The striker Sébastien Haller at the Ivorian time?

Sébastien Haller, in February 2020. Ian KINGTON / AFP

Text by: David Kalfa Follow

3 min

Sébastien Haller was called up for the first time in the Ivory Coast national team, this November 5, 2020. This striker born in France and now aged 26 has long waited to be called up for the French selection A.

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This November 5, 2020, Didier Deschamps, the coach of the France football team called for the first time the player of Borussia Mönchengladbach,

Marcus Thuram

, son of Lilian Thuram.

For Sébastien Haller, who has also been in the German Championship, there must be something frustrating about this situation.

The one who has several similarities with Marcus Thuram - a great center-forward who is quite skilful in front of the goal, but more experienced - has long hoped for a sign from Didier Deschamps, the coach of the Blues.

In vain.

Instead, it was Patrice Beaumelle, coach of the Ivory Coast, who signaled to the resident of West Ham (England), the same day.

This summons to face the Madagascar team, in qualifying for CAN 2021, is however a semi-surprise: the one who went through Auxerre (France), Utrecht (Netherlands) and Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany) did not. never closed the door to his mother's original homeland.

In February 2019, while enjoying great success in Frankfurt, however, he explained to the sofoot.com site that his preference was for his country of birth: “ 

I was born in France, I grew up in France, I have already worn the blue jersey

[in young people, Editor's note]

, and I am a competitor.

[…] After a while in life, you have to make choices.

And on top of that, we have a football career to manage, and the career is short.

Me, in any case, I will do what I want ...

 "

So, does Sébastien Haller want to play with the Elephants?

Patrice Beaumelle assured that yes, during a press conference.

Its presence could therefore offer an additional tactical option in tip, to the Ivorian selection.

If the two meetings against Madagascar

can be held on the scheduled dates

and the Franco-Ivorian honors this call, despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

#Elim # CAN2021 3rd and 4th Day # CIV- # MADAGASCAR


The list of participants pic.twitter.com/k6UwncPn3C

  FIFCI (@FIFCI_tweet) November 5, 2020

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