<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBorn in London to a Nigerian father and a French-Algerian mother, Olise faced a choice most players never do. England, France, Nigeria, Algeria \u2014 any of the four could have claimed him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He chose France. And he was clear about why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have always had a connection with the France national team; that is why I play for France,\u201d he said. \u201cI grew up watching French football and admired players like Zidane and Henry. At home, I had three cultures because of my parents, and outside it was England, where I grew up. I didn\u2019t have to force this mix \u2014 it was just there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The choice came at a cost. France were at UEFA Euro 2024 \u2014 and reached the semi-finals \u2014 but Olise was not included in Deschamps\u2019 squad. His then Crystal Palace teammate Eberechi Eze played for England at the same Euros. Thierry Henry confirmed that Olise had every opportunity to represent England but never wavered. That kind of conviction about identity and belonging is not common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n