Topics: Yunus Musah, USMNT, Valencia, Arsenal, England, Greg Berhalter, Qatar 2022
Eighteen-year-old Yunus Musah from New York City picks the U.S. Men’s national team over England with ambitions for action in Qatar 2022.

Musah is a young prospect who has shown glimpses of brilliance for struggling Valencia during its 2020-21 La Liga campaign. Los Ches sit twelfth in the table with 30 points after seven wins, nine draws and 11 losses. However, the multinational started 15 games and played another nine as a substitute and showed enough talent for England, Ghana, Italy and the United States to fight for him.

The teenager’s market value skyrocketed from $220,000 to $11 million in just one year after his displays for Valencia and the popularity gained from the drama that his eligibility caused.

Musah grew up in England despite being born in New York City rising the ranks in England’s youth teams. The midfielder played for the U-15 and U-16 before notching his first two international goals in U-17 and two more in u-18. At that point, he left Arsenal’s U-18 team after a four-goal three assists season to join Valencia B as a free transfer in 2019. It took Musah two-thirds of the season to gain a spot in the team. He started Valencia B’s last four third division league games and scored a goal in the process. At seventeen years of age, Musah earned a callup to Valencia’s senior team and became a regular for the whole season.

The USMNT entered the picture in November 2020, when manager Gregg Berhalter’s roster had Musah’s name written on it for two upcoming friendlies in Europe. He agreed to represent the U.S. without jeopardizing his international eligibility. The American impressed again, this time wearing the U.S. Soccer crest against Panama and Wales.

However, Musah did not feature for the U.S. men’s national team in January against El Salvador and Trinidad and Tobago due to his commitment with Valencia. His absence made tensions grow around his decision to commit to the USA or go with England.

Nonetheless, the USMNT announced on Monday that Musah chose to represent his country of birth. He is expected to join the team for the upcoming friendlies against Jamaica and Northern Ireland in March’s FIFA International window.