The United States Men’s National Team is in the midst of controversy following Noahkai Banks’ recent refusal to join the March FIFA date. The 19-year-old’s decision has provoked an incendiary reaction from US soccer legend Landon Donovan, who did not hide his frustration on the “Unfiltered Soccer” podcast.
Landon Donovan’s tremendous anger with Noahkai Banks
Donovan, the national team’s all-time leading scorer alongside Clint Dempsey, was ruthless in analysing the stance of the Hawaii-born but German-raised centre-back. For “Captain America”, national loyalty should not be a matter of negotiation or strategic waiting.
If someone doesn’t want to play for your country, good riddance. Goodbye. And I’m not mad at him. He can make his decision. But now I don’t care anymore. I don’t care about Noahkai Banks
The former player stressed that representing the United States should be a matter of passion and not a process of persuasion by the federation. “If he doesn’t want to play for the United States, that’s fine with me. I understand that. If he feels more German… make the decision based on what you’re passionate about,” he added sarcastically.
Donovan loses patience with Banks
Donovan was highly critical of what he perceives as “gamesmanship” on the part of the player’s camp, reminding that the US system has invested a lot of time and resources in his youth development.
“This whole idea of us begging him to play for our country is bulls***. If you don’t want to play for us, don’t play. But enough of this little game. Do you know how many times we’ve been through this same story?” Donovan concluded in his chat with Tim Howard.
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