Some players feel that the colors of their country fit better than anything else. The whole team speaks the same language and shares the same culture as them. A whole country supports them.
Maybe it is the honor in wearing your national team’s jersey, maybe it is the positive pressure that international games produce. Whatever it is, it is hard not to see a pattern with some players who simply play better for their country than for their club.
Here is a short list.
1. Cristian Zapata
The Colombian defender is renowned in Milan for his poor performances with A.C.
Red and Black fans used to joke about how unreliable of a defender Zapata is. But after Zapata has been caught inattentive time and time again, they have stopped joking.
On the other hand, Zapata proved to be a focused and committed central defender when playing for Colombia. Faster, stronger and better, Zapata becomes a commendable version of himself when wearing the yellow jersey.
2. Lukas Podolski
Photo: @Podolski10 | Twitter
The World Cup winner is greatly appreciated at home, but his record with clubs around Europe is not as prestigious as his record with the German national team.
Last year, he left a bad impression at Inter Milan, scoring only one goal in 16 presences. He picked himself up in Istanbul playing for Galatasaray.
But when playing for Germany, his consistency has been particularly impressive. Since 2004, he has worn the white jersey of the German National Team 128 times and scored 48 goals.
3. Eduardo Vargas
Photo: @hbandsandhbreak | Twitter
One of the 2015 Copa America heroes, Vargas played 19 games for Napoli between 2012 and 2013 scoring exactly zero goals. Not ideal for a striker.
After Napoli, he travelled here and there on loan (Gremio, Valencia, Q.P.R.) with little to no success.
Vargas’ success with the Chilean National Team is quite impressive, though. He has played 52 times for la Roja and has scored 25 goals. Almost one goal every other match, which is ideal for a striker.
4. Sergio Romero
Photo: @TodaPasion | Twitter
Chosen to be Argentina’s goalkeeper in 2009, Romero has played for a secondary Italian team named Sampdoria since 2011. On loan to Monaco and then bought by Manchester United, Romero has never played as well as he does with the Albiceleste.
Despite his unremarkable club adventures, Romero is the guy who played one World Cup final and one Copa America final.
