{
  "id": 11166329,
  "title": "Parma midfielder Mandela Keita reveals he could have joined African nation prior to Belgian recall",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/parma-midfielder-mandela-keita-reveals-he-could-have-joined-african",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T10:25:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/parma-midfielder-mandela-keita-reveals-102500511.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Parma midfielder Mandela Keita has revealed he could have represented his African nation, Guinea, prior to his recent recall to the Belgian national team. Keita, who now plays for Belgian side Antwerp, had previously been out of favor with the Belgian national team despite excelling with Parma in Serie A. However, Keita insisted that he never considered changing his international allegiance, stating, \"My focus was always on the Red Devils. It never crossed my mind to switch.\" Keita's decision to remain loyal to Belgium has now paid off, as he has been rewarded with a second call-up to the national team.",
  "summary": "Mandela Keita is back in the Belgian fold after a few years on the sidelines. The Parma midfielder reunited with his former head coach at Antwerp during the recent international window, with Mark van ...",
  "key_points": [
    "Mandela Keita could have played for Guinea before Belgian recall.",
    "Keita remained loyal to Belgian national team, Red Devils.",
    "Keita rewarded with second call-up to Belgian team."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}