Higuain chooses Argentina

[Leon12]

Higuain to choose Argentina over France
PARIS, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Teenage striker Gonzalo Higuain, the French-born son of Argentine parents, was quoted as saying on Wednesday he would rather play for Argentina.
"It's a choice from my heart," the 19-year-old Higuain, who joined Real Madrid from River Plate in a six-and-a-half year deal last month, told French sports daily L'Equipe.
"All my friends, my family and my football are from over there. I couldn't imagine myself taking another decision."
Higuain is a French national but does not speak French.
France coach Raymond Domenech surprisingly included Higuain in his squad for a friendly against Greece in November but the player turned down the call-up.
L'Equipe said Higuain had now started legal procedures to become a full Argentine national.
Higuain's father Jorge played professional football in France for Brest where Gonzalo was born in 1987. He was only 10 months old when he moved to Argentina with his family and he lived there until moving to Spain.

[Paul_NL]

Would this mean he will never play a WC?

Is Trez still an Argentinian citizen?

[Illrod3]

Would this mean he will never play a WC?

Is Trez still an Argentinian citizen?

He'll play if he gets choosen. Basile stated that he like the kid, but who knows what will happen 3 years from now.

Trez born in Argentina from French parents, right? if so, I think he will still be a citizen since you can't lose it once it is earned. However, it might not be recognized in France or anywhere else for that matter, but in Argentina he would have all the rights of a citizen. That's how I think it works.

[Paul_NL]

No that is not how it works

He is born as a French citizen in Brest and never got the Argentinian one. If he want to become Argentinian he needs to give up his French one(as France don´t allow double nationality) leaving Real with an enormous problem because they already have Robinho, Marcelo and Diarra without an EU pasport.

[Illrod3]

He is born as a French citizen in Brest and never got the Argentinian one. If he want to become Argentinian he needs to give up his French one(as France don´t allow double nationality) leaving Real with an enormous problem because they already have Robinho, Marcelo and Diarra without an EU pasport.

I thought he did have the Argentinian citizenship after living there all his life and having Argentinian parents. If not I guess he'll have to apply for one, I am pretty sure he would qualify. As to Real, wouldn't Ronaldo's departure open a spot?

[Paul_NL]

He can become a Argentine citizen but needs to give up his French one. That´s the problem because he is in Europe on his French nationality

Diarra, Robinho and Marcelo are the 3 Non EU players, I think Robinho can become a Spanish citizen soon(after 2 years?) But Real would probally prefer to buy another non EU player

[bsas]

He can become a Argentine citizen but needs to give up his French one. That´s the problem because he is in Europe on his French nationality


You are right, but if I understand it correctly, the limitation is on the Argentinian side, not on the French one. So I'm sure they will make an exception for him :D

[Paul_NL]

No restrictions are on the French side.

In Argentina you are either Born Argentinian or naturalized. If you are born Argentinian you are allowed to have a second nationality(Only Chile I think has an agreement with Argentina that you need to give up your Argentinian one, if you want to become Chilean)

If you are a naturalized citizen and you want to get a second nationality you will lose your Argentinian one.

So let´s say he does the following

2007: Give up french Nationality, becoming Argie
2009: Becoming Spanish(I think the term is living 2 years for Argentinians in Spain) and giving up his Argentinian one.

So when he gives up his French nationality to play for Argentina he can´t become an EU citizen when he is still playing for Argentina


P.S. This is how the law is in Argentina but the law is as flexible as the smell of the dollar.

[Leon12]

[QUOTE=Paul_NL;10553379

P.S. This is how the law is in Argentina but the law is as flexible as the smell of the dollar.[/QUOTE]

So it would seem. Higuain has his Argentine citizenship and also gets to keep his French citizenship. Expect him to be called up for the next Argentina squad.:D

[Paul_NL]

So it would seem. Higuain has his Argentine citizenship and also gets to keep his French citizenship. Expect him to be called up for the next Argentina squad.:D

How do you know and than the French must be flexible

[Leon12]

Paul,

See link:

http://www.clarin.com/diario/2007/02/01/deportes/d-04801.htm

[Paul_NL]

Paul,

See link:

http://www.clarin.com/diario/2007/02/01/deportes/d-04801.htm

Thanks, it seems to me that he didnt have to lose his French nationality because his dad is a Naturalized French citizen.

Any chance Frederico can get French nationality?