Argentine-born Boca Juniors winger Daniel Bilos said Thursday he was contemplating an offer from Croatia coach Zlatko Kranjcar to appear for Croatia in the World Cup Finals.

Bilos, who qualifies for the Croatia team thanks to his grandmother's Croatian nationality, said he was debating the possibility.

With dwindling hopes of playing for Argentina's national team, Bilos is now considering the offer from Croatia coach Zlatko Kranjcar.

Croatian soccer authorities have not confirmed the discussions, but Bilos said he would make a decision soon.

“My feelings toward the Argentine team remain the same, but they've advised me to leave my feelings aside. At some point one has to be professional about this and the chance to play in a World Cup doesn't come along every day,” Bilos told local journalists while training with Boca Juniors.

Bilos said there had been the possibility of joining Croatia for some months. But as a 25-year-old who has only played in one friendly with the Argentina side against Qatar in November, he has noted that he hasn't been called up for the squad by Argentina coach Jose Pekerman since - a sure sign his chances of making the 23-man Argentine squad for the World Cup Finals are dwindling.

Hugo Issa, a representative for Bilos, said the fact that the player already had played for Argentine for one friendly wouldn't block his path. Soccer's world governing body limits eligibility to one nation once the player has competed in a match that leads to an official FIFA championship.

Bilos, meanwhile, said he would be have to be quick to decide, adding “It's not going to be delayed, because there isn't much time.”

In Germany, Croatia were drawn in Group F in the World Cup Finals alongside Australia, Japan and the five-time World Cup champions Brazil.

Bookmark/Search this post with:

delicious | digg | google | yahoo | technorati