The American basketball team announced the list of 12 players who will represent their country at the Paris Olympic Games. It included Joel Embiid, who could play for three different teams: the North American, the French or the Cameroonian. However, the Sixers center's initial idea was to wear the France shirt, since he sent a letter to Emmanuel Macron where he declared: "I do not want to play for any other national team."
The document, to which RMC Sport has had access, was sent by the player born in Yaoundé on October 28, 2021. The 30-year-old center wanted to represent France in order to obtain French nationality: "After speaking with the French Federation of Basketball, my choice is already made. I wish to take steps to obtain French naturalization and thus be able to be selected with the Blues. Therefore, I do not wish to play for any other national team."
The NBA MVP last season, who will not be able to revalidate the award, received French nationality in July 2022, with the aim of representing France in the Olympics held in Paris: “I have never worn the colors of any team national. “It would be an immense honor for me to join this French team to participate in the next major international competitions, first of all, the 2024 Olympic Games.”
Even in the letter, the Sixers star asks Macron to do everything possible to help him obtain nationality: "I know your sincere interest in basketball and its development and, in general, in the sport that honors France. "I therefore ask for your support in supporting these initiatives, without which they will not succeed. I beg you, Mr. President, to accept the assurance of my highest consideration."
To convince the President of the Republic, the player from Yaoundé also appealed to his Gallic roots: "Part of my family is French and, in addition to sharing the language, I have stayed in France many times. In addition, I continue to go regularly to Paris, where I want to acquire a second permanent residence."
Embiid's prayers were successful. However, the Sixers player changed his decision, because he will represent the United States in the Paris Olympics. From France they consider that he betrayed an entire country and the President of the Republic, so the center will not be well received in the French capital this summer.
