MATEUS MANE is in a bizarre country vs country row – after being called up by TWO nations.
Club vs country spats are commonplace, especially during the international breaks so early in the season.
But two different nations are battling it out to have a Wolves youngster play for them this month.
That is because England AND Portugal named Mateus Mane in their Under-18s squads.
Young Lions’ U18s boss Liam Bramley confirmed his group of players for an upcoming tournament in Marbella.
England face Sweden next Friday in the semi-final of the four-team event.
They will then take on either Ukraine or Netherlands in either the final or third-place play-off.
However, Emilio Peixe wants Mane to be available 24 hours earlier on Thursday when Portugal U18s play Turkey in a friendly on Thursday evening.
It is understood Mane is eligible for both teams having played for the Portugal U17s last season before making his England debut against Portugal in September ahead of fixtures against Switzerland and France.
But because U18s is a non-UEFA age group, both nations are entitled to call the player up.
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However, Mane will need to make up his mind on the dilemma as he finds himself at the centre of the unusual tug of war.
And both Wolves and England confirmed he would feature for the Young Lions in Marbella next week.
Teenager Mane was born in Barreiro – just outside Lisbon – in September 2007.
He spent time in the academy of FC Barreirense.
But in 2016, Mane switched sunny Portugal for the north-west of England as he switched to Rochdale’s youth set-up.
Then in 2024, the youngster signed for Wolves.
He has started the 2024-25 Premier League 2 season in red-hot form, too, with two goals and two assists from his three appearances so far.
So it is little surprise two countries he is eligible to represent are battling over his allegiance.
However, Mane knows he will not need to commit to one national team permanently just yet due to Fifa rules which allow players to swap until they have earned a senior competitive cap.
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