An article in Italian in which Jonathan Zebina --a French citizen, plays for AS Roma-- says he'd like to play for the US Men. http://it.sports.yahoo.com/040305/212/2or90.html He's a right back, pretty good player, I think he's been courted by ManU and Arsenal. Regular starter when healthy. The article implies that he's frustrated at not being called into the French national team and would like to play for the US because he's always been fascinated by the country. The article mentions a couple other players, including Juventus' Camorenesi, who have 'changed' nationalities for international soccer purposes. The article doesn't mention if Zebina has any ties to the US or American relatives.
Well he's got his work cut out for him to beat out Frankie Hejduk...::cough:: But most likely he has no ties to the US and figures they could do an Ailton deal, without realizing the US' complicated citizenship process. If he does have some tie, without ever seeing him play I think it's pretty easy to say he'd end up the starting US right back pretty quickly.
Wow. Hell is freezing over. A Frenchman who wants to play for the U.S.? I think this is just French fickleness...
I'd be happy to adopt him for citizenship purposes, so long as he'll promise to be a good son and send some money home to the folks.
Re: Re: AS Roma's Jonathan Zebina?? Jonathan is not a very common French first name. It is a more common American name. He must have some American ties to think that he can play for the US.
Car DMN, car DMN, please respond! US National team poaching being reported in Yanks Abroad section of Big Soccer, please respond with any information.
Why me? Sounds more like a job for Parmagiano... At any rate, I've emailed the club and some supporter sites asking for info.
We'll he's SOL. unless he has family (immediate family) in the US who can sponsor his immigration. US government doesn't just give out citizenship. There is a whole body of law, the Immigration and Nationality act, that governs it. He can't even win the visa lottery, - contries not eligible. This is idle musing on a daydream.
While DMS is waiting on that email I thought I'd do a little research while I have some time to kill.... http://www.wsoccer.com/players/z/zebina_jonathan.htm Jonathan Zebina was not even BORN in France, rather he is from Parigi, Brazil, Birthdate is July 19, 1978. So he is 24 years old. I'll try and find out how he has French Nationality. stupid Internet site. I have a feeling that Parigi is actually another name for Paris.
best case scenario one of his parents has US citizenship, even with that will take him 3 years , I think ! ...but i agree that every foreign player who is not happy with their National team should turn to USA and get immidiate citizenship, maybe US immigration laws in this instant could be changed
Umm, there's no way this guy has any US ties. I actually thought I remembered him as having some African nationality from when I had a CM 01/02 game going. I could be mistaken. But I don't think there's any way this guy has any US ties.
Parigi is indeed Italian for Paris, and thats where he wasborn. http://www.asromacalcio.it/LaSquadraDoc.aspx?Numero=37 But I can't find ANYTHING about his parentage.
Capped It seems to me that he's been capped by France, but maybe that was just something I did when I managed France in CM.
hell this guy doesn't even have a familty if you were to believe Google. How can a guy this famous not have ny kind of biography availible? I mean I can find a biography of A-League players but not of a guy who starts for AS Roma?
Re: Capped He was definatly called into a camp in 2001 Lemerre calls up Zebina for France Wasn't on World Cup Squad So I'm not actually sure if he is Cap-Tied to any country
...not sure, but the fact that his last name is actually zébina (with the accent could have an effect on your google searches...
No prob. We'll hook up the guy with nancyb, and he'll be in (naturalized) red, white and blue in 36 months.
My sister-in-law is A) born and bred in the USofA, B) single, C) a hottie, D) a free spirit with champagne tastes, meaning she needs money and would be up for something a little unorthodox. So, find out if Zebina is single and we'll get the wheels rolling!
I find it unconscionable that you're talking about sending this kind of business overseas in an election year, particularly when there are plenty of single, unorthodox Dave Marino-Nachisons right here at home.
Unfortunately, I don't think you will be able to marry him (in the States anyway), and besides, I think you would have to work for the government or something to be able to expedite his citizenship.