I remember a while ago somebody said he might play for spain even tho he is israeli..can somebody please update me on what is going on with this guy? he is supposed to be an unbelievable player and i really hope he plays for israeli.
Re: Gai Assulin update? Word is that he will indeed play for Israel and may very well be called up for Israel's U21 European Championships Qualifier versus North Ireland in February. Last week on an interview with Radio 102FM Tel Aviv, Guy said "I am Israeli and Israel comes first for me, I will do everything I can for the Israeli National Team". He did mention people encouraging him to play for Spain but he insists that he will play for Israel. When asked why he's getting Spanish citizenship in a few months he said "This is only so I will be able to be registered and a non-foreign (EU) player" as you may not know in the Spanish league only 3 non-eu players are allowed on each team. U21 Coach Guy Levi was in Barcelona today to watch Assulin play with Barcelona B, apparently he was very impressed and I expect him to be called up for Israel's game on February 4th vs North Ireland.
i am so happy. that just made my day. Oh my GOD. YESS!!! he is going to be so special . i cannttt wait. we should get him playing now so he can be ready for the world cup campaign. EL EL YISRAEL. thank u gai, im glad u put our country first. we deserve it
Kol HaKavod Guy! Looking forward many succesful years in the Nivcheret. Hopefully, we'll be able to begin including him in the WC qualifiers as we did with Ben Sahar in the last Euro campaign.
Essentially, Guy Assulin has been unofficially called up to the Spanish U-21 National Team (it would be official but for his temporary lack of citizenship). His comments: "I'm very honoured that the coach of the Spanish NT has chosen me to play for his side. More than that I do not want to comment." Guy's father had this to say: "Guy would rather play for the Israeli NT more than any other NT in the world... We're still considering, but the optimum choice would be Israel." "if Guy receives an exemption from Tzahal, he would most definitely play for Israel." He goes on to say things like "we love Israel" and "The Spanish media think of us as Israelis" So pretty much it all depends on his "exemption". I don't think it says whether or not he wants a full exemption, or just what Ben Sahar is doing in London... Anyways, we all can hope he makes the right choice eh.
The fact that hes considering to play for the Spanish team is enough for me to never want him to put on an Israeli shirt, EVER! If he loves Israel, he wouldnt even think about playing for any other team than the Israeli NT. I take these news reports with a grain of salt, I rarely use them as concrete information until it actually happens. But, if the article is in fact correct, than let Guy rot in Spain for all I care. Playing for your national team is an honour that not many people can say they have done. So if he wants to run off to Spain and play in the "spotlight" let him do so, but I wont be a fan of his, and I doubt many Israeli's would be either.
You clearly have never lived outside Israel/held allegiance to more than one country. If i had the honour of playing for either Israel or Canada, I would certainly consider my choices. It just seems the prudent thing to do.
I actually live in Toronto and I am a Canadian citizen as well as an Israeli citizen because I was born there. His situation is different. He didnt move to Spain as a kid and grew up there and got into soccer there. He moved there BECAUSE of soccer. Forget about the country he went to, he could have went to England, Italy, Germany or Holland and he would be in the same situation on whether to play for that country or Israel.
True, but if I remember correctly he moved quite young. Regardless of why he moved, if he grew up in Spain you can't blame him for taking it into consideration. I'm just saying we shouldn't jump to conclusions. Let's wait it out, and if he chooses the wrong country then we can ring him out about it.
Guy was already playing on a prominent youth team in Israel before his father moved him to Spain only a few years ago. I highly doubt he could be described as a Spaniard in any sense. I'd also like to believe, based on what he's said, that he really does want to play for Israel, but he might just be trying to draw attention for an exemption from the military. If Ben Sahar got one I don't understand why it would be problem, and he surely can't be trying to avoid that since it is the least he can do.
The family was approached again about Gai playing for Spain. I really hope that we cap tie him soon, because Spain is such an attractive side to play for.
Yeah, but Spain means nothing to him. When he stands for the Spanish national anthem, does he feel anything? When he puts on the Spanish shirt, does it make him proud? Israel is his home and his NT, his heart is in Israel (i hope so at least), thats where we all know he belongs. If the Israel FA invite him to join the Under 19's and he doesnt accept immediately, then he can go f-off to Spain for all I care. I know not everyone can have the same passion for their NT as Benayoun or Atar, but those are 2 players that really emphasize what playing for the NT is all about.