Rest of SEA Asian Players in Europe

7 European footballers of Southeast Asian origins

Alphonse Areola – Credit: Getty Images

6. Alphonse Areola

The 24-year-old goalkeeper is eligible to play for the Philippine senior team due to his parents being both of Filipino heritage and in 2011 was invited by team manager Dan Palami to consider playing for the national team.

Areola currently plays for the French champions Paris Saint-Germain. He has represented France at every youth level and was part of the France U-20 side that won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2013.

Areola was previously been called up to the French national team as part of the build-up for UEFA Euro 2016, but didn’t make the final squad. He would be called up to the senior squad again on three separate occasions but has yet to make an appearance for France.