Lyon's Damaris Egurrola opts to represent Netherlands over USWNT, Spain | OneFootball

In football, decisions don’t come much tougher than the one Damaris Egurrola has just had to make.

The Olympique Lyonnais midfielder was born in the United States to a Spanish father and a Dutch mother, making her eligible to represent all three countries at international level.

Egurrola spent much of her childhood in the Basque region of Spain and began her professional career with Bilbao’s Athletic Club, before going on to represent Spain at youth level, winning the U19 European Championship in 2017 and playing in the 2018 U20 World Cup final.

In May 2019 she made her senior debut for La Roja, but sadly it proved to be her one and only senior call-up.

And now, after months of reflection, the 22-year-old has decided to switch her sporting nationality to the Netherlands and is set to make her debut for the Oranje when they take on Cyprus and South Africa in World Cup qualifiers next month.

“I am extremely happy to be able to represent Netherlands,” said Egurrola following the official announcement of the news on Tuesday.

“It’s quite special to be born with a Spanish dad, a Dutch mom, and in the USA!

“I have always felt close with Netherlands, where I spent all my summers, and where I started playing football with my cousins. I feel I inherited both Dutch and Spanish culture in my childhood.

“Representing Netherlands is a tribute to my mother, and I can’t wait to wear that jersey in a few days. Groningen is where all my Dutch family is based, it couldn’t be better!”