Paris: Former Leicester City striker, Jamie Vardy, has shed light on how teammates at Leicester City convinced N'Golo Kant© to choose the French national team over Mali.
According to Ghana Web, Kant© initially wanted to honor his late father by representing Mali at the international level. Vardy, who played alongside Kant© during their victorious 2016 Premier League campaign, revealed in an interview with Foot Mercato, 'N'Golo Kant© wanted to represent Mali, not France, in honour of his father's roots.' However, Vardy explained that teammates at Leicester City disagreed with Kant©'s initial decision.
They argued that representing France would offer Kant© a greater chance of winning major international trophies, whereas opportunities with Mali would be more limited. After careful consideration, Kant© was eventually persuaded by his peers to don the French jersey. Vardy also shared an anecdote about Kant© gifting his Mini Cooper to his parents in the village after being teased by teammates, later purchasing another vehicle.
Kant©'s decision proved fruitful as he became an integral part of the French national team for nearly a decade. He played a crucial role in reaching the final of Euro 2016 and was instrumental in France's triumph at the 2018 World Cup. The 35-year-old midfielder left a significant legacy with Les Bleus, earning 69 caps, scoring two goals, and winning two major titles: the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2021 UEFA Nations League.