Sami Khedira’s younger brother, Rani, has turned down an offer from the Tunisian Football Association to play for the national team.
They were born in Stuttgart to a German mother and Tunisian father.
While the Juventus midfielder has become an indispensable part of the World champions, Rani who plays for Augsburg hasn’t made the leap from the youth teams.
The African nation was convinced they could lure him with the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Russia.
But the 24-year-old rejected the offer and believes “it is the right decision”.
As well as citing the language barrier – Rani would have to learn Tunisian Arabic.
“I don’t think it’s fair I take the place of players who have worked their socks off for the last two years to reach the World Cup, either.”
Khedira represented Germany at youth level, but is yet to receive a senior international cap.
In rejecting the Tunisian FA’s advances, he passes up the opportunity to play at this summer’s FIFA 2018 World Cup and, potentially, to face older brother Sami – a 72-time Germany international and 2014 World Cup winner.
“It was a long process,” former Stuttgart and RB Leipzig midfielder, Rani, explained. “My Dad is a proud Tunisian. I carry both countries in my heart and wish them both well. It’s the right decision, though.”
