THE USMNT has seen immense progress in football over the past few years with great talents playing for the nation. One of these stars is their striker Folarin Balogun who chose to represent the Stars and Stripes despite some dilemmas. The player has made waves being part of big teams like Arsenal and AS Monaco. Growing up in Arsenal’s youth ranks, Folarin Balogun’s breakthrough came in the 2022-23 season in which he scored 22 goals and earned a call-up to the USMNT.
As the USMNT prepares for the 2024 Copa America, Balogun should lead this highly talented group to glory. However, credit goes to his mother for making Balogun the personality and player he is. Let’s explore who Balogun’s mother is along with the attacker’s other relatives.
Parents of Folarin Balogun: Everything you need to know
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Folarin Balogun, born July 3, 2001, may have represented the United States, but he might also have had the chance to play for Nigeria. Balogun’s parents, father Ben and mother Florence, are from Nigeria. Although few details of his father’s profession are known, it is reported that his mother was an accountant when Balogun was growing up.
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Folarin Balogun’s parents reportedly emigrated from Nigeria to England, but were on a family visit to New York when the Arsenal star was born in Brooklyn. His mother claimed that they returned to London two months after Balogun’s birth, quashing rumors that he was two years old when they returned to London. Reports further suggest that Balogun has two siblings, but details about his love life are yet to surface.
Balogun’s mother encouraged him to play for the USMNT because of the warmth of the American fans and how desperately they wanted him. Despite the chance to play for Nigeria and England, the 23-year-old decided to play for the United States and stressed that his family was on the same page. His mother wanted him to do this, but Balogun said in an interview with ESPN that making the final decision was up to him and that he thought playing for the USMNT was the best choice he could make.
Balogun will be a crucial addition to the USMNT alongside other strikers like Christian Pulisic. As they kick off their Copa America campaign against Bolivia tonight, can he make an impact to lead his team to victory? Let us know in the comments.
