- Veteran defender Leon Balogun is determined to make a return to the Nigerian national team at the age of 36
- The Rangers defender, currently injured, hopes to be recalled for Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe
- He admitted he had been waiting for a call-up but struggled with injuries that kept him sidelined
Time and injuries may have slowed many older players down, but Leon Balogun refuses to let them define his international career.
At 36, the Rangers defender remains determined to earn a recall to the Nigerian national team, three years after his last appearance. Despite missing the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where Nigeria finished as runners-up, Balogun has made it clear that he never retired and is ready to fight for a place in the squad once again.
Currently sidelined with an injury, the experienced centre-back is expected to return to action soon and has set his sights on Nigeria’s upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe next month.
Balogun still hungry for international football
Balogun, who earned his last cap for the Super Eagles in 2022 against São Tomé and Príncipe, admitted that he had been hoping for a recall, but circumstances, mainly injuries, prevented him from making a case for himself,
“It’s fair to say I was probably waiting for a call-up, obviously, there’s merit, yes, but you always need to make sure that you have something to show. There were times I didn’t have anything to show for, and there was a time when I was unfortunately sidelined again. Not my fault, really, but an injury kept me out for a very long time,” he said.
The former Brighton & Hove Albion defender also disclosed that he had been in touch with former Super Eagles coach José Peseiro before AFCON 2023,
“I was in contact with Peseiro leading up to the tournament. I was only just hoping to make the squad because, at the beginning of last season, I didn’t play for the first two and a half months. It hurt not to be considered, especially when I was playing well leading up to the finals, but I found my peace with it,” he said.
Balogun sets the record straight
With speculation about his retirement swirling, Balogun was quick to set the record straight,
“Representing Nigeria is always a huge honour for me. I never retired, despite what people may think. I am still up for selection,” he declared.
As the Super Eagles prepare for their crucial World Cup qualifiers, Balogun remains hopeful that his performances for Rangers will be enough to earn him another shot at international football.
"I didn’t want to leave," Nigerian striker Dessers speaks on Rangers transfer speculation
Previously, TheRadar reported that Just weeks ago, Cyriel Dessers' future at Rangers appeared uncertain. The Super Eagles striker had slipped down the pecking order, losing his starting spot to Hamza Igamane.
The Nigerian forward has now spoken out, admitting that while there was genuine interest elsewhere, he never actively sought a move away from Rangers.
