Football

World Cup 2022: Midfielder who swapped England for the USA ‘doesn’t regret’ decision

World Cup 2022: Midfielder who swapped England for the USA ‘doesn’t regret’ decision

Yunus Musah says he has no regrets over his decision to play for the USA instead of England.

The midfielder represented England from Under-15 to Under-18 level, before opting to play for the USA at senior level.

Musah could have also represented Ghana at international level, but says he has no regrets over his decisions for both club and country.

USA midfielder ‘doesn’t regret’ career decisions

Born in New York, Musah spent seven years in the Arsenal academy. He then made a move to Valencia in the summer of 2019 at the age of 16.

He is now a regular for the La Liga outfit, making 11 appearances this season. He has two assists for his club in the current campaign.

“When I made my decisions, both playing for Valencia and the US, I said ‘whatever happens I’m going to make sure the situation works for the best and I don’t regret it,’” said Musah, as reported by BBC Sport.

“If something goes wrong down the path, I shouldn’t think that ‘I wish I did this or that,’ just carry on or make it work.

“Everything happens for a reason so I don’t regret it at all. I was happy with what happened at Arsenal and England but I don’t regret my decisions.”

Musah excited to take on former Arsenal academy teammate

The USMNT drew their 2022 World Cup opening fixture against Wales, and face England tonight in their second group game.

The two countries last met in the World Cup in South Africa in 2010, where they played out a 1-1 draw. Midfielders Steven Gerrard and Clint Dempsey were on the scoresheet that day.

Musah is looking forward to this evening’s test for many reasons, with one of those being the opportunity to come up against his former Arsenal academy teammate Bukayo Saka.

“What a special game it will be,” said Musah. “Having lived in England, knowing how England are as a society as people, just to share the field with them and knowing the whole of England is going to be watching that game, as well as the US, it’s just a special moment so I hope it goes well.

“It will be the biggest game of my career. I think I will be smiling more than usual. The memories of how things turned out, it’s crazy.

“To play against England on the biggest stage, to share the field with hopefully Bukayo as well, that will be crazy.”

USA

USA youngster enjoyed time at Arsenal

Musah captained Arsenal youth teams as a teen, and looks back on his time in north London very fondly.

He played alongside the likes of Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, as well as playing with Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott at international level.

“I remember the day,” said Musah. “I moved to England on 12 January, 2012 and in the Easter break I was trialling for Arsenal and getting signed, that’s how quickly it happened.

“It was really overwhelming and I didn’t understand the importance of it until I got into school and then all of a sudden everyone was like ‘yo, this guy plays for Arsenal’ and I was like so ‘wow it’s a big deal out here you know.’ It was a big thing and I was happy for it.”


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