Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood, who seemingly has been treated like an outcast based on reports, would not feature for the Three Lions of England under Gareth Southgate.
Greenwood whose rape indictment and assault charges were dropped last month was apprehended in January 2022, and he was subsequently suspended on full wage by Manchester United following the allegations levelled against him.
Nonetheless, the Crown Prosecution Service established in February 2023, that the indictment and charges had been put to bed, after important witnesses for this case removed their hands from the issue.
Mason Greenwood released a statement after he was set free, stating how he was “relieved that this matter is now over”.
Uncertainty hovers around his future at International and Club level, with reports spreading like wildfire claiming that the young Englishman will never be picked again for the Three Lions of England by Gareth Southgate.
Greenwood still has faith that he can revive his career with the senior national team of England. However, the 21-year-old has not featured for England since he was sent away from the team after his debut against Iceland.
Greenwood made his debut against Iceland in 2020
Mason Greenwood came on against Iceland in a 1-0 victory for England in the UEFA Nations League in September 2020.
Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden of Manchester City were immediately sent out of the team for not adhering to COVID 19 quarantine rules as they brought two women into the team’s hotel.
Greenwood can still change his national team allegiance to Jamaica in September, with the striker able to play for the nation as a result of his mother.
FIFA rules were tweaked in 2020, which gave opportunity for footballers to change nationality provided they had played no more than three competitive matches at senior national team level before they become age 21.
The player must also not have featured for the nation in important international competitions like the FIFA World Cup finals or Continental finals.
The Football Federation secretary of Jamaica, Dennis Chung indicated in February that they would accommodate Greenwood, should he want to change nationality.
Dennis Chung said: “I don’t think we will rule him out, but that is a decision that the coach will have to make. If the coach picks him then he would be welcomed by us.
“He is an excellent player but all of that is up to the coach; and if the coach thinks that he should be picked, then it is up to the coach.
“He is only 21 and so he has a very bright future ahead of him and I think he will add value to any team that he is on.”
The forward has rejected the opportunity to play for Jamaica
However, Mason Greenwood has turned down the chance to represent Jamaica in spite of the reports that his career with England is over.
The Jamaican National team are nicknamed the “Reggae Boyz” and they have played their home games at the Independence Park since 1962.
The Reggae Boyz have lifted the Caribbean Cup on six (6) different occasions in 1991, 1998, 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2014.
Ian Goodison has made the most appearances for the national team of Jamaica – one-hundred-and-twenty-eight (128) games for the Reggae Boyz.
The top scorer of the Reggae Boyz is Luton Shelton and he scored thirty-five (35) goals for the national team.
One other popular name in the The Three Lions of England who has got ties with Jamaica is Raheem Sterling. He was born in Jamaica to Jamaican parents.
