Siena's Nigerian-born Swiss striker Innocent Emeghara has revealed why he decided to play for his adopted country when it was more likely he could get a role in the Super Eagles.
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Emeghara emigrated to Switzerland as a youngster, where he joined his mother in Zurich and started playing football. He hardly ever gave it a second thought before choosing the European nation.
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"I love Nigeria, it's my homeland. But I owe a lot to Switzerland," he tells forzaitalianfootball.com.
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His sense of gratitude for his adopted country influenced his decision to play for the Swiss national team: "I'm proud to represent the country that welcomed me to Europe."
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The young forward grew up admiring Nigerian stars Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha, Obafemi Martins and Nwankwo Kanu, but his true idol was a Brazilian.
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"I grew up in Zurich, where I studied economics. I modelled myself on Ronaldo (who helped Brazil in winning the 2002 World Cup).
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"I was in love with Ronaldo at Inter. Today, I watch Messi's touches and movements over and over again."
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Emeghara arrived in Siena just in the January transfer window, after spending 18 months at the French club Lorient. Siena reached a deal to bring the 23-year-old to Serie A on loan.
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He made his debut for the Tuscan side against Udinese and scored his first goal the following week in the 3-1 victory over Inter. He's not stopped scoring since: another goal against Bologna was followed by last weekend's two goals in Siena's emphatic win against Lazio.