Lineker and Shearer urge Greenwood to pursue international career with Jamaica
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have united in their view that Mason Greenwood ought to give up on any prospect of representing England again, reports BritPanorama.
The two former Three Lions strikers shared their assessment on the Rest is Football podcast, suggesting that the Marseille forward should instead consider a path with Jamaica.
This verdict comes despite Greenwood’s remarkable performances in France, which have sparked discussion about a potential recall ahead of next summer’s World Cup. The 23-year-old’s coach, Thomas Tuchel, has made his stance clear, stating that Greenwood will not feature in his selections.
Greenwood’s form has been exceptional since moving to Marseille, where he has scored 13 goals and provided four assists in 20 appearances this campaign. His latest contributions include two goals in a Champions League match against Union Saint-Gilloise, described by Lineker as “excellent finishes.”
Despite Greenwood’s impressive output, speculation around a return to the England squad is met with Tuchel’s firm dismissal, effectively closing the door on Greenwood’s chances to feature with the national team again.
Discussing Greenwood’s situation, Lineker acknowledged his strong performances, yet noted the surrounding controversy: “I want to talk about Mason Greenwood. He’s been doing brilliantly since. I know there’s a lot of controversy around him and he had that awfulness of his situation.” He added, “Another two goals yesterday, excellent finishes.”
Shearer concurred with the sentiment, supporting Greenwood’s decision to focus on international football with Jamaica instead. “I think it was the right decision for him to go to another country. He had to settle down and just try and go out and play football,” he remarked.
Greenwood has only one England cap, earned during a Nations League fixture against Iceland in 2020. His international career has been marred by controversy, including an incident in which he and teammate Phil Foden were dismissed from a squad for breaching Covid-19 protocols.
Following this incident, Greenwood was selected for Euro 2020 but was unable to participate due to injury. He obtained Jamaican citizenship and a passport three months before reportedly declining an approach from the Reggae Boyz, hinting at a desire for an England recall that may now be unattainable.
As he continues to excel in Ligue 1, the narrative around Greenwood serves as a poignant reminder of how swiftly a player’s journey can shift, both on and off the pitch. A talented player, navigating turbulent waters, is now left contemplating his next move.
