Arsenal legend Ian Wright has lauded Tariq Lamptey for his courageous decision to commit to Ghana’s senior national team at a young age, despite being born in England and having represented the country at youth levels.
Lamptey, who chose to don the Black Stars jersey in September 2022 at just 22 years old, has been praised for defying the common trend where players of African descent opt to represent their ancestral nations only after their chances with their birth countries diminish. This has been a point of contention among former African football stars who feel that these players treat their countries of origin as a secondary option.
Wright highlighted Lamptey’s situation, explaining how the Brighton & Hove Albion right-back’s path to the England national team might have been hindered by the presence of players like Reece James.
“Tariq Lamptey is a fantastic player, a fantastic right-back. Maybe he saw his path to England blocked,” Wright remarked during an appearance on PL Stories. “When you consider the quality of Reece James, who kept him out at Chelsea, it’s understandable why Lamptey would look for opportunities elsewhere.”
Wright emphasized that Lamptey’s decision is a sign of a positive trend where players choose to represent their heritage early in their careers, rather than waiting for other options to fade. “Tariq has the talent to be on the international stage, and if Ghana provides that platform, he should absolutely take it,” Wright added. “I believe we’ll see more players making similar decisions. If you’re good enough, you shouldn’t have to wait.”
Lamptey’s decision to represent Ghana has been seen as a testament to his belief in the opportunities that the Black Stars can offer, and his early commitment has been widely praised as a forward-thinking move.
