Loic Nego called up to Hungarian men's national squad

FIFA's previous rule on changes of nationality was thought to be too strict, often not allowing for a change of country in justified and appreciable cases. For example, if a player had played as few as 10 minutes in a single competitive match in any youth national team, this generally prevented them from later strengthening another national team as an adult. The new regulation remains strict and precise, but is now more flexible and detailed than the previous one.

Loic Nego - who last played for the French U20 team against Portugal on August 17, 2010 and has lived in Hungary for more than five years whilst also acquiring Hungarian citizenship - owes the opportunity to this change of attitude.

The relaxation of the hitherto rigid regulation was first raised by Sándor Csányi in the FIFA Council, then the MLSZ formally initiated the amendment of the Articles of Association, which wer finally submitted to the FIFA Congress by the competent body of the international organisation, where the participating countries almost unanimously supported the change.

Thanks to the rule change, Loic Nego, born in France, can now play for Hungary. The MOL Fehérvár wide player has said several times in the past that he considers Hungary to be his home and he'd be happy to play in the Hungarian national team.

"It is a great honour for me to become a member of the Hungarian national team," said Nego Loic. “When I found out I could be selected, I felt like a big dream of mine could come true. Being in the national team marks the beginning of a new chapter in my career. It'll be a gift if I can play in one of the upcoming matches. I will give my best to add to the success of the team, because of course I want to win every match".

Nego has been a Hungarian citizen since February 14, 2019. In recent years, he has been constantly looking for the opportunity to play for his adopted nation but now, with the new rules in force, the main obstacle has been removed, something which head coach Marco Rossi immediately capitalised on by calling Nego up to his latest squad.

"How we are similar is that we feel totally Hungarian and we want to prove this with the national team too", Marco Rossi told mlsz.hu. "Nego has been playing in Hungary since 2013 and his long-term dream has been to play for the Hungarian national team. Over the last seven years, he has proven countless times that he is one of the most outstanding footballers in the OTP Bank Liga. That’s why I myself have been waiting a long time for the opportunity to finally call him up, because there’s no question that if he makes the most of his ability in the national team, it can be of great benefit to us".

So this time, Marco Rossi hasn't been forced to change the squad due to injury or illness.

"I'm glad that I finally don't have to change the squad out of necessity once it had been announced. In this period when everything is uncertain, as the coronavirus pandemic may, at any time - even at the last minute - require me to lose a player or even a staff member, this is a real gift. Especially considering that in addition to the two Nations League matches, we must take on a Bulgarian national team which is at the same level as us in the European Championship play-off semi-final, and then, if we win that match, face an Iceland or Romania team which is stronger and ahead of us".

Just as the rest of the national squad, Loic Nego will join the group on Sunday night, then travel to the venue for the match against Bulgaria on Wednesday.