MX23RW : Wednesday, May 29 07:34:58| >> :120:30711:30711:

Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla undecided on international future

Barcelona B attacker Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla is undecided whether he will represent Ivory Coast or Canada at international level.

Barcelona B attacker Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla is yet to decide whether he will represent Ivory Coast or Canada at international level.

The 18-year-old became the youngest ever player to feature for Montreal Impact last year, and went on to make 21 first-team appearances for the MLS club before completing a move to Barcelona in January.

Tabla was born in Ivory Coast, but also qualifies for Canada having moved there at the age of eight.

The teenager has suggested that he is leaning towards the country of his birth, but has not ruled out turning out for Canada.

"It's difficult because Didier (Drogba, a former Ivory Coast international) is so big for my country," Ballou told ESPN. "All my family and all my friends support him. He's like the president of Ivory Coast, you know.

"It's a big decision for me. I am proud when I hear about him, when people talk about him, because when people talk about him they talk about Ivory Coast.

"But now I just want to have fun, play and, when the moment comes to take the decision, it will come. But Didier tells me to not stress about it, just to focus on playing.

"I don't think he was that young when he started playing with the national team - he was maybe 24, 25 - so you just have to focus on your club, enjoy the experience and the time with the national team will come. There's no rush."

Tabla has made seven appearances for Barcelona B since arriving at the club.

ID:322104: cacheID:322104:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2644:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Zinedine Zidane watches on during the Champions League quarter-final between Real Madrid and Wolfsburg on April 12, 2016
Read Next:
Real Madrid 'want Barcelona winger'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid38298187266195
2Barcelona38267579443585
3GironaGirona38256785463981
4Atletico MadridAtletico382441070432776
5Athletic Bilbao381911861372468
6Real Sociedad3816121051391260
7Real BetisBetis38141594845357
8Villarreal381411136565053
9Valencia381310154045-549
10AlavesAlaves381210163646-1046
11Osasuna38129174556-1145
12Getafe381013154254-1243
13Celta Vigo381011174657-1141
14Sevilla381011174854-641
15Mallorca38816143344-1140
16Las PalmasLas Palmas381010183347-1440
17Rayo Vallecano38814162948-1938
RCadizCadiz38615172655-2933
RAlmeria38312234375-3221
RGranada3849253879-4121


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!