The Romanian diaspora measures more and more compatriots from year to year, and Romanian sports are in complete lethargy. At first glance, it seems that there is no connection between these two topics. But more and more countries began to pay more attention to those who went abroad, or, depending on the circumstances, to their children.

The Romanian diaspora was always at its height at the matches of the national team of RomaniaPhoto: Martin Meissner/AP/Profimedia

Professional athletes from the diaspora have been involved in the national team, which is becoming more and more visible in international football competitions. The reasons why young athletes choose to play for the country from which their parents left are varied: from patriotism or homesickness, if they remember it, to the desire to make their family proud while waiting for better opportunities in their sports career.

But whatever the reason that leads a professional athlete to choose a country of origin on their professional journey, Romania can’t seem to score in this department either. Athletes from the Romanian diaspora tend to choose their homeland, disillusioned with what they have found or left behind here.

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