Celtic playmaker Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, who is of Sri Lankan descent, has revealed she plans to represent Argentina, instead of Australia, on the world stage.
It has been a big 24 hours for Aussie Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, whose father is originally from Sri Lanka, over in Scotland.
The Celtic midfielder, who is nominated for both the Scottish PFA Player and Young Player of the Year awards, helped her side to a historic 3-1 win over Glasgow City to keep their SWPL title hopes alive.
But the icing on the cake during Friday morning’s (AEST) top-of-the-table clash was that they did it in front of 9553 fans, a domestic record crowd for women’s football in the country, surpassing the previous record of 8066.
The Hoops moved above Rangers on goal difference and to within two points of leaders City.
That all happened only hours after Galabadaarachchi announced she was planning to play for 28th-ranked Argentina instead of the Matildas, who sit 10th on the world rankings.
Speaking at the media day for the Scottish awards, the 21-year-old’s nationality switch was mostly overshadowed in the European media by her calling out Sky Sports for revealing she was dating Celtic defender Carl Starfelt during a game last week.
She said TV stations should focus on football and not her “personal life” as she was a “very private” individual.
But that buried the biggest story, that Galabadaarachchi announced she will commit to the blue and white of Argentina instead of the Matildas.
She was called into Tony Gustavsson’s squad last year, but she did not get any game time and seemingly isn’t part of the Swede’s plans for the team currently.
With the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 only 69 days away, it remains unclear, however, if she plans to don the Argentinian jersey at the tournament.
Heartbreakingly, Galabadaarachchi also spoke about how despite being born in Melbourne people always commented on her how she didn’t “look Australian”.
“Australia is where I grew up and where I was born but I think I will represent Argentina,” she told media.
“I have had some good conversations with both camps but the Argentina coach, German Portanova, is very interested in me.
“I need to wait for my Argentina passport and then I think that is the path that I will take. I grew up in Australia and I feel Australian but people have always looked at me and said ‘You don’t look Australian.’
Losing the star midfielder will be a blow to the Matildas’ future plans and raises questions about what Football Australia can do to hold onto talent.
The Celtic playmaker is the second high-profile young Aussie talent over the last six months to embrace another country’s program.
Roma teen Cristiano Volpato faced unprecedented backlash, despite representing Italy at youth level, in November when it was revealed he was not interested in the Socceroos.
Thankfully the conversation around Galabadaarachchi’s decision has not received the same response.
Despite a big 24 hours in the media, her focus remains on the pitch for the three-horse SWPL title race ahead of her club’s final two games.
Rangers and City go head-to-head on the final day of the season on May 22 (AEST), but Celtic’s superior goal difference may prove to be the difference in the battle for league silverware. (Optus Sport)
