Mile Svilar is not allowed to switch from Serbia to Belgium. The AS Roma goalkeeper recently became the nemesis of Feyenoord, saving two penalties in their Europa League clash. This did not go unnoticed by our southern neighbors.
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Since Daniele De Rossi took the helm at AS Roma, the young 24-year-old goalkeeper has been an indispensable part of the team, showcasing his skills in every game.
The transformation under De Rossi's guidance has been nothing short of remarkable, leading to a significant increase in playing time for the goalkeeper. "We noticed that Svilar has been getting more playtime at AS Roma and even managed to save a penalty," remarked Domenico Tedesco, the Belgian national coach, during a press conference about his selection for upcoming friendly matches. However, it wasn't just a single penalty save that caught the eye; Svilar demonstrated his prowess by stopping not one but two penalties in a game against Feyenoord, those taken by Dávid Hancko and Alireza Jahanbakhsh, underlining his critical role in the team's defense.
Svilar's performances have not gone unnoticed beyond the Italian league. Recently, he received another call-up from Serbia, a country he represented once three years ago in a friendly match against Qatar. Despite having progressed through all the youth ranks in Belgium, Svilar had chosen to play for Serbia. This time, however, he declined the offer from Serbia, opting instead to pursue an international career with Belgium, the nation where he was born and began his career at Anderlecht. This decision underscores his deep connection to Belgium and his desire to represent his birth country on the international stage.
The possibility of Svilar switching national allegiances sparked a great deal of discussion, primarily due to FIFA's somewhat nebulous regulations concerning such matters. According to FIFA rules, players are eligible to switch national teams if they made their international debut before turning 21. However, Svilar was 22, adding complexity to his situation. Another provision allows for a switch if the player has participated in fewer than three official international matches, providing a glimmer of hope for his case. This legal conundrum meant that the decision regarding Svilar's eligibility required careful examination by legal experts.
"We have been monitoring Svilar's progress for several months," Tedesco admitted, shedding light on the Belgian Football Federation's interest in the goalkeeper. Despite the initial optimism, the legal verdict was clear Svilar could not switch national teams again. "After thorough consultation with our legal department, they have confirmed that Svilar is ineligible to switch allegiances once more. It's a disappointing development, but at least it brings clarity to his situation," Tedesco concluded.
This conclusion draws a line under Svilar's international dilemma, at least for now, leaving him to focus on his club career. Under De Rossi's tutelage, Svilar is expected to continue his development, possibly emerging as one of the leading goalkeepers in European football. Meanwhile, the discussion surrounding FIFA's rules on player nationality may spark further debate, potentially leading to more transparent guidelines in the future.
