Mason Greenwood’s international football career, once promising with England, may now take a different route, with Jamaica emerging as a viable option. While his future with the Three Lions has remained uncertain, Greenwood still has the opportunity to switch his national allegiance under FIFA rules. Despite making his debut for England in 2020, the fact that he only appeared in one competitive match before the age of 21 leaves the door open for him to represent Jamaica in the future. This move could provide a fresh start as Greenwood seeks to rebuild his professional life.
In a significant development this week, Manchester United officially parted ways with the 21-year-old, bringing clarity to his club career after an 18-month period of uncertainty. Greenwood’s future has been in limbo since his arrest and subsequent charges of attempted rape, coercive behavior, and assault, which led to his suspension from the team. However, in February 2023, the Crown Prosecution Service dropped all charges, citing the withdrawal of key witnesses and new evidence that surfaced. Despite not being found guilty in a court of law, Greenwood’s situation remained delicate, and his reputation tarnished. Manchester United, following an extensive internal review, decided to facilitate his departure, offering him the chance to resume his career elsewhere.
Several clubs have since expressed interest in Greenwood, but most favor a loan move rather than a permanent transfer. Clubs like Roma, Atalanta, Inter Milan, and Monaco have all been linked with the player, while teams from Germany, Spain, and Turkey, as well as the Saudi Pro League, are reportedly keeping tabs on his situation. There is also talk of Greenwood potentially reuniting with former Manchester United manager José Mourinho at Roma, which could offer him the stability he needs to revive his footballing journey.
On the international stage, Greenwood’s career was cut short prematurely. Despite making over 135 appearances at the club level, he has only represented the England senior team once. That debut came in September 2020 during a UEFA Nations League match against Iceland, but just days later, Greenwood and teammate Phil Foden were sent home in disgrace for breaching Covid-19 protocols. This scandal left a mark on his fledgling international career.
In 2021, reports surfaced that England manager Gareth Southgate was willing to forgive Greenwood for the Iceland incident. Southgate met with Greenwood, his family, and Manchester United representatives, offering the young player a pathway back into the national team. Southgate is known for giving young players second chances if they show genuine intent, and Greenwood was reportedly given a structured plan to re-enter the England setup. However, Greenwood’s camp was unhappy with the idea of being called up without a guaranteed starting role, which complicated his return.
By early 2022, Southgate was still open to reintegrating Greenwood into the squad with an eye on the World Cup, but those plans were shattered when the player was arrested. Since then, Greenwood has not played in a professional match, with his last appearance dating back to January 2022. He has also been unable to train with Manchester United during his suspension, leaving him in footballing limbo.
According to a report by The Daily Mail, Greenwood’s prospects of playing for England again are slim, even if he successfully revives his career. Given the depth of attacking talent in the England squad and the lingering controversy surrounding his case, Greenwood may never be called up again. However, due to his Jamaican heritage, he has the option of switching allegiances to Jamaica, a possibility that the Jamaica Football Federation has been keen on since 2021. Greenwood was even spotted wearing Jamaican national team attire recently, signaling a potential shift in his international ambitions.
Under FIFA’s revised eligibility rules, players can change their national team as long as they haven’t played more than three competitive senior international games before turning 21. Greenwood’s solitary appearance for England at the age of 18 means he qualifies to represent Jamaica. A switch to Jamaica would offer Greenwood the chance to start anew on the international stage, free from the shadows of his past controversies in England.
Should Greenwood succeed in revitalizing his club career with a new team, his journey to Jamaica’s national team could be a natural progression. The Jamaican squad, eager to strengthen its ranks, could offer Greenwood the platform to return to international football, making the most of his talents in a setting that offers him a clean slate. Ultimately, this could mark a new chapter in Greenwood’s career, one where he can regain his focus and demonstrate his potential on the global stage, albeit in the colors of Jamaica instead of England.