Despite featuring prominently for France’s U21 side, Ismael Doukouré (22) has yet to make his debut for the senior side… and he may never do so.
In fact, it is highly unlikely. Doukouré was part of Les Bleuets’ side at last summer’s Euro U21 competition, whilst he was also a part of Thierry Henry’s Olympics side that won silver. Doukouré now wears the captain’s armband at formative club RC Strasbourg Alsace, and despite a wave of recruitment, he remains a focal figure and one that they have been desperate to keep.
One of his club teammates, Guéla Doué, who was also eligible to play for France, as his brother, Désiré, made the decision to represent the Ivory Coast and that is the same decision that Doukouré has now taken.
Doukouré has begun the administrative process to change his sporting nationality, as shown in a video posted on social media by Sport News Africa.It showed the Strasbourg player at the Ivory Coast consulate in Paris. His decision comes ahead of this summer’s FIFA World Cup, a competition in which he will now hope to participate.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
