In an interview with the Belgian daily Le Soir, Thomas Meunier shared his thoughts on the issue of dual nationals in football, a topic particularly relevant to Morocco in recent years. He believes that these decisions are not solely driven by sporting considerations but are deeply influenced by the education and cultural ties of the players. Meunier emphasizes that players will always gravitate toward what represents them most: their family name and the values passed down by their parents and grandparents. He even mentions Morocco as an example, highlighting the Atlas Lions’ ability to compete with top European teams and attract talents from the diaspora.
Meunier explains that the decision of dual nationals is often more about personal identity than sporting opportunities: “It’s not a sporting matter. It all depends on the education they’ve received.” He notes that the cultural influence from family is often stronger than any opportunism related to football. “When you have equal choices, you will always turn to what represents you,” he adds. According to him, players are drawn to what reflects their own identity, whether that’s rooted in family or in religion.
In the case of Morocco, Meunier observes that the country has become a strong footballing nation, capable of competing with Europe’s best teams.
He further adds that today, players are no longer motivated solely by opportunism but are driven by a deeper connection to their roots. While he does express some ambivalence about players choosing national teams of countries they’ve had limited exposure to, he ultimately understands why someone would turn to their heritage when faced with two teams of equal quality.
“I can understand that between two national teams of the same caliber, you turn to your roots,” he concludes.
