Fulham defender Calvin Bassey has opened up about his decision to represent Nigeria at the international level despite being eligible to play for Italy and England. Born in Italy to Nigerian parents, Bassey moved to England as a child, where he developed his football career.

Bassey revealed that his dream of playing for Nigeria was sparked by watching the Super Eagles take on Argentina at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Seeing Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in football history, face Nigeria in a high-stakes match left a lasting impression on him.

Beyond his personal ambition, playing for Nigeria carries deep emotional significance for Bassey and his family. He shared that his mother, who was never a big football fan, only watched matches when Nigeria was involved. “It’s massive. When I was younger, my mom didn’t really watch football unless it was the World Cup.

Bassey also recalled his mother’s passionate support when she attended the Africa Cup of Nations. Though he couldn’t see her in the crowd, he received videos from his friend and agent showing her excitement. “My mom’s passion is just crazy.