• International Football

Januzaj keeps England option open

ESPN staff
February 19, 2014
Adnan Januzaj could eventually play for Kosovo, Albania, Belgium or England © Getty Images
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Adnan Januzaj has reportedly rejected the chance to play for Kosovo in their landmark friendly against Haiti next month.

The Manchester United playmaker qualifies for the country through his parents but could also play for Albania, Belgium - where he was born - and England, once he has residential qualification.

Januzaj has come under pressure from Kosovo with the nation's football federation keen to recruit him after FIFA granted them permission to play international friendlies this year.

But, according to the the Daily Telegraph, sources close to the 18-year-old say he will turn down the chance to appear in what would be a landmark first international for Kosovo.

The view of Junzaj's family is that the greatest advertisement for Kosovo would be for people to see him playing for United and England, when he becomes eligible in 2017.

Januzaj would still be able to play for a country fully affiliated to FIFA even he if opted to play in the Haiti game but such a decision would likely make it more politically difficult for him to switch.

Speaking earlier this season, his father, Abedin, said: "I don't exclude the possibility of seeing my son in a Kosovo national team jersey in the future, but we have time to think for that as it is delicate. Our full potential will be focused in doing well with Manchester United."

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