AS Monaco full-back Ismaïl Jakobs has explained why he chose to represent African champions Senegal over Germany.
The 23-year-old almost missed the World Cup due to an administrative issue, before he made his debut for the national side in a World Cup warm-up game.
Jakobs' paperwork was processed by FIFA in time for their opening game against the Netherlands, which they ultimately lost 1-0 on Monday.
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"It is a decision from the heart when you choose to represent Senegal. It's not a decision against Germany. Senegal is my father's country and I felt a lot of love from the country and from the people,' Jakobs told Get French Football News.
"It's very special to represent Senegal. It's not like perhaps in Germany where when you leave the national team, you're just a club player. In Senegal, everyone just supports the national team. It doesn't matter where you play your club football. It's really nice.
It's crazy because I've only played once for the national team and it was in Europe.
"The players have told me that when we play in Senegal it's amazing, but even when we played in Orléans, there were 10,000 people and it was unbelievable.
"I also wanted to get closer to my father's country. Now I'm going to go to Senegal more often. Because of football, I couldn't go often, but I've been a few times. "
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