Folarin Balogun Wins CONCACAF Nations League Weeks After Dumping England

Folarin Balogun has lifted the CONCACAF Nations League trophy just weeks after he dumped England to join the USMNT.

Balogun, 21, was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Nigerian parents who later moved to London where he was brought up.

This made him eligible to play for three different countries; England, USA and his native country, Nigeria.

He eventually chose to play for England national team at various age level, including 13 times for the U21s, where he scored 7 goals.

Recall we reported that last month, Folarin Balogun switched allegiance after FIFA approved his request to join the USMNT.

And this means that while England wait for a major trophy in 57 years, Balogun has won a trophy one month after joining the US.

USMNT beat continent rivals Canada 2-0 at the Allegiant Stadium in Nevada to win the Nations League.

Goals from Folarin Balogun and Chris Richards in the first half was enough to seal the victory for interim boss B.J. Callaghan.

Balogun who made his international debut against Mexico on Thursday, have already won the love of the Americans.

He even took to his Instagram page to assure USA fans of more magic to come: “US soccer fans, I promise this is just the beginning!🏆.”

Folarin Balogun enjoyed an awesome season on loan at French side Reims where he scored 22 goals in just 39 appearances.

Balogun is also expected to leave the Gunners this summer in search of first-team football following his superb campaign last season.

Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah are currently ahead of him in Mikel Arteta’s pecking order of attackers.

Folarin Balogun

Folarin Jolaoluwa Balogun is an American football player who was born on July 3, 2001 and plays as a striker for Reims, on loan from Premier League club Arsenal.

The Nigerian star was born in New York City and emigrated to England when he was two years old, and subsequently grew up in London.

Balogun’s parents were born in Nigeria and he is often referred to by his nickname of ‘Flo’, coined for him in his years at Arsenal’s Hale End academy.

Balogun has shown pace, technique, and the ability to play two-footed.

Folarin Balogun has also been compared to Ian Wright by Martin Keown due to his pace and intelligent movement on the pitch.

The youngster had previously represented United States and England at youth level before permanently declaring allegiance to the United States at senior level in 2023.

USA Win: Christian Pulisic Named Best Player

Despite not being on the scoresheet, Christian Pulisic did collect the award for the Best Player of the short tournament.

The Chelsea man captained USA to another CONCACAF Nations League triumph and was voted the tournament’s Best Player.

This meant that US have now won both editions of the Nations League with the Chelsea star captaining them to glory.

Celebrations started after the final whistle with Pulisic being used as a human bowling ball with beer bottles (presumably plastic) for bowling pins.

The Chelsea man just like Folarin Balogun took to his Instagram page to talk about the win, he wrote: “2 time ✌🏼.”

USMNT previously won the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League in 2021 with a classic 3–2 victory against Mexico in the final.

Also in 2023, United States successfully defended their Nations League trophy by winning the 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League.

The team conceded 0 goals in the finals, winning 3-0 against Mexico and 2-0 against Canada in the last two finals.