Roony Bardghji Expresses Surprise Over National Team Omission Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers
Roony Bardghji reacts to his exclusion from Sweden's A-national team roster for World Cup qualifiers.
Key Points
- • Bardghji surprised by lack of selection for the A-team.
- • His recent transfer to Barcelona heightened expectations for national selection.
- • He had prior discussions with coach Jon Dahl Tomasson about his situation.
- • Bardghji will focus on U21 national team qualifiers.
Roony Bardghji, a young winger recently signed by Barcelona after a successful stint at FC Copenhagen, has voiced his shock at not being included in Sweden's A-national team for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Slovenia and Kosovo. The 19-year-old, who impressed during preseason—including scoring in his debut match—was hopeful that his transfer and performances would earn him a spot in the national squad.
Before the official selection announcement, Bardghji had a discussion with the national team's coach, Jon Dahl Tomasson, concerning his recent situation at Barcelona. Despite these conversations, the decision not to select him surprised him. "I thought I would be included. I played many minutes during preseason and showed good form," he stated, expressing disappointment yet recognizing that ultimately, the choice rests with the coach.
Looking ahead, Bardghji remains focused on contributing to the U21 team, which is set to kick off its EM qualifiers with matches against Armenia on September 5 and Montenegro on September 9. His recent transition to a high-profile club and expectations from his performances highlight the competitive nature of national team selections going forward, indicating his determination to break into the A-team in the future.