With a Premier League player recently being given the all-clear to represent an African nation, here are 14 African internationals who were born outside of the continent, including two recent African Player of the Year winners.
Click through the gallery above to see 14 African stars who were not born in Africa, according to Transfermarkt!
Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored 20 goals in 50 games for Gabon, but his international career might have been very different had he opted to play for his country of birth, France, instead.
The ex-Borussia Dortmund forward, 31, had the chance to represent Spain too, but ultimately began his journey with Gabon in March 2009, despite playing once for France's U21 side just a month before that.
Former Leicester City and current Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez, like Aubameyang, was also born in France, but is an Africa Cup of Nations winner with Algeria, whom he made his debut for in their 3-1 win over Armenia in 2014.
Morocco right-back Achraf Hakimi could have represented Spain, having been born in the country's capital, Madrid, while Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly, who is widely considered among the continent's leading centre-backs, is another who hails from France.
The Napoli man played for the European nation's U21 team on 11 occasions, but opted to play for the Lions of Teranga in 2015, saying two years ago that he "saw the light" in his parents' eyes when he informed them of his decision.
The Highest-Paid Player At Each EPL Club Revealed
To see some more footballers who represent African nations but were born in Europe, click through the gallery above!
