By Korede James
Leon Balogun has clarified that he has not retired from international football and remains open to a Super Eagles call-up.
The Rangers of Scotland defender told Brila FM that an injury he sustained between November 2022 and March 2023 prevented him from honouring Nigeria call-ups.
Balogun, 36, said the injury, which was initially expected to heal within weeks, took much longer due to complications with his recovery.
His absence since then has fueled talk of retirement from international football.
But Balogun has come out to address his injury issues and his absence from the Super Eagles.
“It’s not that I’ve not accepted an invitation ever. Unfortunately, right before the World Cup break, I suffered an injury that was supposed to last a few weeks but didn’t go the way it was supposed to,” he explained.
“I just couldn’t come. I was not fit yet and after I got fit, then I relapsed but since then I haven’t had a lengthy injury spell.
“I have always been available. I’ve never said that I retired from international football, and I think the people who need to know are aware that I’m still very much willing and ambitious to represent the national team.”
Since making his international debut in 2014, Balogun has made 46 appearances and scored one goal for the Super Eagles.
He was part of the Super Eagles squad to the AFCON 2021 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Balogun is not a regular starter for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership this season, featuring in 13 of their 23 league matches.
He has started seven times, been substituted in for six matches, an unused substitute five times and left out of the squad for five games.
Balogun has registered one goal and one assist in those matches.
