Imagine being so good at soccer that four different countries want you to play for their national team! That’s what’s happening to Mika Biereth, a 22-year-old striker who plays for AS Monaco, a soccer club in Europe. Right now, he’s one of the best goal scorers in Europe, and people are wondering which country he’ll choose to represent.
A Star Player with Choices
Mika Biereth is scoring goals like crazy. He’s already scored 10 goals in just seven games in France’s top soccer league, called Ligue 1. That’s even better than a famous player named Zlatan Ibrahimovic did at the same age! Biereth has scored three hat-tricks, which means he scored three goals in one game—three different times! Because of this, Denmark, one of the countries he can play for, really wants him on their team for some big upcoming games against Portugal.
But here’s the thing: Biereth doesn’t have to pick Denmark. He hasn’t played for any country’s senior national team yet, so he can still choose. He’s already played for Denmark’s younger teams (Under-19 and Under-21), but that doesn’t lock him in. He has four options: Denmark, Bosnia, Germany, or England.
Why Four Countries?
Biereth was born in London, England, in 2003, so he can play for England. His dad is from Denmark and Germany, and his mom is from Bosnia. According to soccer rules from FIFA (the group that runs international soccer), you can play for a country if you were born there, if your parents or grandparents were born there, or if you live there long enough to become a citizen. Since Biereth hasn’t picked a senior team yet, all four countries are possibilities.
Biereth knows this is a big decision. After a game on Friday against a team called Reims, he said, “I didn’t expect these questions a month and a half ago, but success brings them naturally. It’s a unique situation—few players can represent four countries. The choice is mine to make.” In simple words, he’s saying his great playing lately has made people ask him about this, and he’s still thinking about what to do.
Denmark Wants Him Badly
Denmark’s coach, Brian Riemer, went to watch Biereth play on Friday. That night, Biereth scored another hat-trick, proving he’s in top shape. Denmark doesn’t have many strong goal scorers right now. One of their best players, Kasper Dolberg, might be injured and unable to play. So, it seems very likely that Biereth will get picked for Denmark’s team, which will be announced on Tuesday.
But Coach Riemer has said before that he won’t pick a player just to stop them from joining another country’s team. He wants to be fair to all the Danish players. Still, with Biereth scoring so many goals, it would be shocking if he didn’t get chosen.
What’s Next?
Biereth joined AS Monaco in January for €13 million (about $14 million) from a team called Sturm Graz. He’s only 22, but he’s already breaking records and making tough choices. Will he pick Denmark, where he’s already played for the youth teams? Or will he go with Bosnia, Germany, or England instead? For now, he’s keeping everyone guessing while he keeps scoring goals.
