Pick me Arnie! Bayern Munich-bound Nestory Irankunda threatens to play for ANOTHER country if the Socceroos continue to snub him
- Nestory Irankunda, 18, wants a maiden Socceroos cap
- Has threatened to play for either Tanzania or Burundi
- Will join German giants Bayern Munich in July
Australian football's biggest rising star Nestory Irankunda has sensationally threatened to play for another nation if he continues to be snubbed by the Socceroos.
The Bayern Munich-bound teenager dropped the bombshell news after playing in the A-League Men's All-Stars' 8-0 demolition of Premier League team Newcastle United at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Friday night.
Irankunda was born in a Tanzanian refugee camp and his parents are from Burundi, so he is eligible to play for either country.
The 18-year-old, who has scored 16 goals from 60 matches with Adelaide United, is yet to represent Australia at senior level.
The closest Irankunda has come is when he was a train-on squad member for two friendlies against Ecuador last year.
![Australian football's biggest rising star Nestory Irankunda has sensationally threatened to play for another nation if he continues to be snubbed by the Socceroos](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/25/06/85323373-13458679-image-m-74_1716615865563.jpg)
Australian football's biggest rising star Nestory Irankunda has sensationally threatened to play for another nation if he continues to be snubbed by the Socceroos
![The Bayern Munich-bound teenager dropped the bombshell news after playing in the A-League Men's All-Stars' 8-0 demolition of Premier League team Newcastle United](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/25/06/85323379-13458679-image-m-76_1716615910401.jpg)
The Bayern Munich-bound teenager dropped the bombshell news after playing in the A-League Men's All-Stars' 8-0 demolition of Premier League team Newcastle United
![The 18-year-old is yet to represent Australia at senior level (pictured, in action for Adelaide United in the A-League)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/25/06/85323381-13458679-image-m-78_1716615967066.jpg)
The 18-year-old is yet to represent Australia at senior level (pictured, in action for Adelaide United in the A-League)
'Yeah of course,' Irankunda said when asked if he would seriously consider playing for another country if he keeps being overlooked by Socceroos coach Graham Arnold.
Irankunda said he initially hoped that his pending move to Europe would enhance his chances of playing for Australia, but he is now non-committal on the prospect.
'As of now, I'm not too sure how things are going to go,' he said.
'I haven't been called up for a few of the squads now. I'm still thinking on what I'm going to do in the future at national level, so we'll see.
'I'm still eligible for Tanzania and Burundi as well but obviously it's a dream of mine to play for the Socceroos....so if the opportunity comes again then hopefully it comes sooner and I take it.'
Arnold was in attendance at Marvel Stadium and would have noticed Irankunda's considerable impact after entering the fray as a substitute in the 70th minute.
'I reckon I showed the people at the game what I can do and hopefully Arnie saw it as well,' he added.
The Socceroos are next in action in June when they face Bangladesh and Palestine in two World Cup qualifiers.