Crystal Palace ace Wilfried Zaha has explained committing to Ivory Coast ahead of England.
It was a phone call from Chelsea and Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba that persuaded him to switch allegiances, especially as he did not feel he was getting a fair chance with England.
"I feel like I wasn't given a really fair shot at the first team. I went through the age groups but then didn't really get a chance," said Zaha on Rio Ferdinand's Locker Room show.
"Then I spoke to Drogba and he explained to me what it felt like to play for the Ivory Coast.
"For one thing, it's Drogba calling you and he's explaining all these things to me. When they came to me I turned them down the first time because I wanted to play for England at the time.
"But they were still on my case even though I've turned them down before. At the same time, despite my performances, I still wasn't getting picked for England.
"So it was a straight decision after. Then Ivory Coast asked me again and it was a straight decision and I'm glad that I did it.
"The love the country has shown me. When we reached the AFCON quarter finals, it was insane and it was as if we had won it. When you play over there, you are treated like a king."
