Pick me Arnie! Bayern Munich-bound Nestory Irankunda threatens to play for ANOTHER country if the Socceroos continue to snub him
- Nestory Irankunda, 18, wants a first Socceroos cap
- Threatened to play for Tanzania or Burundi
- Will join German giants Bayern Munich in July
Australian football’s biggest rising star Nestory Irankunda has sensationally threatened to play for another country if he is rejected by the Socceroos.
The Bayern Munich teenager dropped the surprising news after an 8-0 draw against Premier League team Newcastle United at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium in the A-League Men’s All-Stars on Friday evening.
Irankunda was born in a Tanzanian refugee camp and his parents are from Burundi, so he is eligible to play for both countries.
The 18-year-old, who has scored 16 goals in 60 games with Adelaide United, is yet to represent Australia at senior level.
The closest Irankunda came was when he participated as a train-on team member in two friendly matches against Ecuador last year.
Australian football’s biggest rising star Nestory Irankunda has sensationally threatened to play for another country if he is rejected by the Socceroos
The Bayern Munich teenager dropped the shocking news after an 8-0 draw against Premier League team Newcastle United in the A-League Men’s All-Stars
The 18-year-old is yet to represent Australia at senior level (pictured, in action for Adelaide United in the A-League)
“Yes of course,” said Irankunda when asked if he would seriously consider playing for another country if he continues to be overlooked by Socceroos coach Graham Arnold.
Irankunda said he initially hoped his impending move to Europe would boost his chances of playing for Australia, but is now non-committal about the prospect.
“Right now I’m not too sure how it’s going to go,” he said.
‘I have not been called up for a number of teams at the moment. I’m still thinking about what I’ll do nationally in the future, so we’ll see.
‘I’m also still eligible for Tanzania and Burundi, but obviously it’s a dream of mine to play for the Socceroos… so if the opportunity comes up again, hopefully it will come sooner and I’ll take it.’
Arnold was present at the Marvel Stadium and is said to have noticed Irankunda’s significant impact after coming on as a substitute in the 70th minute.
“I think I showed people what I can do during the game and hopefully Arnie saw it too,” he added.
The Socceroos are back in action in June when they take on Bangladesh and Palestine in two World Cup qualifiers.