Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante wanted to represent an African nation at international level, according to former Leicester City assistant coach Steve Walsh.
Click through the gallery above to see six stars of African origins who ended up playing for European nations.
Kante, who won the Premier League title just under a year ago with the Foxes, represents France at international level, despite having major doubts about choosing to do so.
In a recent interview, Walsh revealed that the midfielder told him last season that he wanted to represent a certain African nation.
"I want to play for Mali, my parents are from Mali," Kante had said to Walsh, according to The Sunday Times.
Now director of football at Everton, Walsh believes the Chelsea star was far more comfortable with the idea of playing for Mali than for Les Bleus, and often asked Walsh if he thought he was good enough to play for France.
"You'll get in any team, mate," Walsh is said to have responded.
"If we had a World XI, you'd be in it."
Kante has helped Antonio Conte transform Chelsea's playing style, and has also been an everpresent for the Blues this season.
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The Stamford Bridge side are 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League table, and through to the FA Cup semi-finals.
Do you think Kante made the right decision in the end? Have your say in the comments section below.
