A Manchester United midfielder who recently decided to represent an African nation over France has revealed why he made that surprise decision.
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Hannibal Mejbri, who starred for United's U23 side in the 2020/21 season and made his first-team debut in the Red Devils' final Premier League match of the campaign against Wolverhampton Wanderers, has accepted a call-up from Tunisia.
The talented midfielder was born in France and has represented the European nation at youth level, but has made the decision he believes is best for him and his family, saying it is not only for sporting purposes.
"I think that it is the best decision for my family and I. I am very proud of this decision. Tunisia, is my country, the country of my parents so for sure there is a strong complicity. I like this country a lot, that is why I made this decision," he told RMC Sport.
"I speak a little Arabic, but not very well. I lost it since I arrived in England. I am not scared about that. The higher the bar, the more you can improve. It can only help me to gain in experience. My father and my mother were very happy that I chose Tunisia, certainly.
"It is like a present for them. But it makes me happy too. I think that I made the right choice. We will see in the future if that is the case. I am trying to build something, not purely on the sporting side."
Here are some more players who have chosen Africa over Europe in the past:
Hannibal, as he is known, also said he is hoping other younger players are positively influenced by his decision to choose this path.
"It is a significant decision that will influence a lot of youngsters, I think. It is good to be a source of inspiration and I hope to be able to influence them on to the right path," he added.
"There are lots of youngsters of other nationalities that could return to the country of their parents, return to their origins. I think that it is very significant for Africa."
The 18-year-old has represented United on 44 occasions at youth level, contributing to 22 goals.
