Folarin Balogun, the talented USMNT striker, is facing a significant decision as he navigates his summer commitments, reported by GOAL. With the countdown to both the Copa America and the Olympic Games underway, Balogun's choices could shape his international career and his future at his club, AS Monaco.

Balogun, a 22-year-old forward who chose to represent the United States over England, is keen to be a major part of the American squad in two major tournaments this summer. He has earned 10 senior caps for the USMNT and aims to make his mark on the international stage. However, Monaco has set strict guidelines that could limit his participation.

Balogun is part of Gregg Berhalter’s preliminary squad for the Copa America, which will be hosted in the United States. While this is a significant opportunity, there's no guarantee of game time in the tournament. Meanwhile, the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris present another chance for Balogun to shine, as he could help the USMNT chase gold medal glory.

AS Monaco’s CEO, Thiago Scuro, has made it clear that Balogun will not be allowed to participate in both tournaments. In a statement on the club’s official website, Scuro outlined Monaco's stance: “It’s quite clear, we want to respect the wishes of our players and at the same time meet the needs of the club. To do this, we shared with those concerned our two conditions for accepting participation in the Olympics. Firstly, go on vacation before the Games, because they finish very late and we cannot afford to see them leave. Here, we will fortunately not compete in the play-offs for the Champions League, which could have conflicted with the Olympic Games.

“Then the rules are strict: the selection must include 18 players, including a maximum of three players over 23 years old. We will see if the case arises. If Maghnes Akliouche is called up? We will let him go, obviously. For Folarin Balogun, if he is also selected for the Copa America, he will not be able to play both. It would not be fair to the club if a player could be absent so much without taking part in the pre-season.”

What's next for Folarin Balogun

Balogun’s decision is crucial as he aims to balance his club responsibilities with his international ambitions. He needs to use the summer tournaments to regain form after a challenging debut season at Monaco, where he managed to score only eight goals and missed some key penalties.

The striker's choice between the Copa America and the Olympics will significantly impact his preparations for the 2024-25 season. If he chooses the Copa America, he will miss out on the Olympics and vice versa. This decision is not only about immediate success but also about long-term career development and maintaining good standing with his club.

Folarin Balogun's summer is shaping up to be pivotal. His choices between representing the USMNT at the Copa America or the Olympics will test his priorities and shape his future both at AS Monaco and on the international stage. As the young striker navigates these options, his decision will be closely watched by fans, teammates, and coaches alike. Balogun's ability to balance his club commitments with his international aspirations could define his career trajectory in the years to come.