Following a remarkable Serie A season, Yunus Musah has the chance to do something special with his national team USA. The AC Milan midfielder will have a key role if the USMNT has to go deep in the Copa America. But, unknown to many, Musah representing the US soccer team is a miracle.

The midfield prodigy was eligible to represent 3 other national teams, Italy, England, and Ghana. Speaking of Ghana, the country is the native place of Yunus Musah’s parents. Then how did he get citizenship in the other 3 countries? Let’s dive into the personal life of the USMNT’s brightest midfield talent.

Yunus Musah’s ‘role model’ parents and early life

Yunus Musah’s parents remain his biggest inspiration. With the highest of praise for them, the midfielder says, “They’re definitely my biggest role models.” Yunus’s dad Ibrahim, who moved from Ghana to Italy in search of work opportunities, had to struggle in his initial days in Europe. Getting work and accommodation was a challenge but he persevered and eventually found his way.

Later upon returning to Ghana, Ibrahim met Amina, Yunus Musah’s mother. It didn’t take much for the two to develop feelings for each other. Soon the couple settled in Castelfranco Veneto, a town in the North of Italy.

Despite the pair spending much of the next 9 years in Italy, Musah was born in the USA. At the time, a pregnant Amina visited New York City to catch up with her brother. However, the doctors who inspected her felt that a trip back to Italy would be a grave risk to her health. Amina eventually acceded and gave birth to Musah on November 29, 2002.

In childhood, Yunus Musah cherished the company of his 4 siblings. The equation hasn’t changed even today. Despite not being in a committed relationship, the USMNT star is not short of affection, especially from his brother Abdul.

Abdul, the brother who never sugar-coated things

A big credit for Yunus Musah’s rise as a soccer player goes to his brother Abdul. who played a key role in developing his brother’s passion for the sport. When Yunus was young, Abdul and friends used to invite him to play along. Later when Ibrahim and Amina moved to England, Yunus had a difficult time having been separated from his friends. It was Abdul once again who made the transition easier for his little brother.

Later Yunus Musah joined the Arsenal academy and started playing for the youth team. There were spells when the midfielder found it hard to get into the starting XI and Abdul again delivered the cold-blooded truth to his younger brother. Abdul said, “You have to get better. You’re not as good.”

Yunus took in the advice and his career never looked the same from there. After a string of impressive performances, Valencia came calling in 2019. The USMNT debut came soon as well and Yunus Musah became the phenomenon he is today.