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The geopolitical implications of the process of naturalization of sports men and women and of integration of double-nationality footballers in national squads are examined. A high degree of inequality influences the attendant power struggles between the rich European or Persian Gulf states and the poor countries of Africa. Various examples illustrate the issues underlying the changes of nationality undertaken by African sports talents to the benefit of countries able to offer a better living. It transpires that although African countries do not submit passively to this kind of “muscle drain”, they end up losing out in the struggle between the different States to grab hold of the best sporting talents.