The midfielder who plays for Sparta Rotterdam in the Dutch League is a nephew of Tottenham's Moussa Dembele
Sparta Rotterdam midfielder, Ryan Sanusi would love to play for the Super Eagles at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The 25-year old, who was born in Borgerhout, Belgium to a Nigerian father and a Belgian mother is eligible to play for Nigeria and Belgium.
Sanusi is a nephew of current Belgium international, Moussa Dembele and has already represented the European side once at U-20 level.
The competition for a Belgium shirt
“It’s not something I’m really working on, but it would, of course, be great,” he told Dutch newspaper, Het Algemeen Dagblad.
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“The Red Devils (Belgium) are far too ambitious. After all, every player wants the highest possible, which is the World Cup., you can not come higher than a World Cup as a footballer.”, he continued.
“You always aim to play at the World Cup as a footballer but the Belgian team will be a difficult story for me.”
“To play for Nigeria at the World Cup, of course, there are a lot of good footballers in Nigeria, but it seems to me that I will get a chance there rather than in Belgium, although I do not really take it into account.”
Sanusi plays primarily as a defensive midfielder. He joined Sparta Rotterdam from Willem II where he started his career as a youth prospect.
Chances of Getting a Place in the Squad
If he is to be considered for selection, Sanusi will face stiff opposition in the Super Eagles’ midfield.
As things stand, Leicester City’s Wilfried Ndidi is the preferred executioner in the defensive midfield position. Further, in the midfield, John Ogu has also begun to stamp his authority in a role that will prove instrumental to the Eagles’ chances in Russia.
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The Super Eagles’ preparation for the World Cup has already been set in motion.
The team has settled on the Sanatorium Mashuk Aqua-Therm Resort in Pyatigorsk, South Russia as their preferred training camp for their group games against Argentina, Croatia and Iceland.