Folarin Balogun has found his name in the headlines over the last 48 hours as the USMNT have now crashed out of the World Cup.
There was plenty of controversy leading up to the game in Seattle on Monday following Balogun’s suspension being overturned by FIFA.
It was a subject that had the world of soccer talking, with considerable frustration being aimed towards Mauricio Pochettino’s team.
Despite picking up a red card in the previous round against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun started for the USMNT against Belgium.
The co-hosts crash OUT of the World Cup
What will Donald Trump have to say to get them out of this one? 👀
The Belgian FA were furious about Balogun’s suspension reverse, with a lot going on behind the scenes in the lead-up to the game.
However, the striker showed his class after approaching Belgium’s head coach Rudi Garcia to discuss the off-field saga.
Folarin Balogun spoke to Belgium’s head coach about red card controversy
President Donald Trump was involved in Balogun’s suspension lift, with the 80-year-old making it publicly known that he spoke to Gianni Infantino.
It certainly unraveled into a messy saga in the build-up to the game, but Balogun was quick to speak to the opposition’s head coach about the matter.
“Flo Balogun came to talk to me. I liked that. It’s not his fault. He is not the one to blame, and I told him that,” said Garcia after the game.
“I appreciate that he came over to talk to me.”
The irony is Balogun’s availability did not help the USMNT, who were second best on the day to Belgium up in the Pacific North West.
There may have been lessons to learn for the USMNT in Seattle, but it was a big positive to see Balogun show his class over the drama involving himself.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
