The much anticipated Reggae Boyz debut for former Manchester United prodigy, Ravel Morrison, could well and truly become reality in the next international break, as the attacking midfielder was called up by Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore for the upcoming fixture against Saudi Arabia.
As Christopher Martin would say, this is a big deal… for many Jamaicans at least and hopefully the feeling is mutual for Morrison. This could be an opportunity to direct his career into its next stage; leadership.
For much of his younger years, Ravel has been labeled as a troubled youth, blamed for not respecting the game and not showing enough desire to improve on what was evidently gifted talent. The 27-year-old was hyped up to achieve greatness and was touted as a Manchester United prodigy, in an academy that also featured the likes of Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard.
His former manager, the great Sir Alex Ferguson, even featured him in his autobiography, stating that Morrison was his “saddest case”.
“He possessed as much natural talent as any youngster we ever signed, but he kept getting into trouble,” he wrote.
“It was painful to sell him to West Ham in January 2012 because he could have been a fantastic player. But, over a period of several years, the problems off the pitch continued to escalate and so we had little option but to cut the cord.”
With such a public display of regret from one of the greatest managers in football history, it goes to show just how much potential a young Ravel Morrison possessed.
However, now, years after his infamous Manchester United exit and countless articles describing his career as “what could have been”, Morrison seems to be back on the right path. Now a player at ADO Den Haag in The Netherlands, the midfielder seems ready to rewrite the script that has defined his career.
His international career could prove to be pivotal in that initiative. If Ravel is able to feel at home in Jamaica’s black, green and gold, then undoubtedly his talent could be the catalyst the team needs to spur the nation into the direction of a potential World Cup qualification.
Known as an elusive attacker gifted with an array of technical attributes, his vision and passing could prove to be integral in unlocking some of our toughest opponents en route to qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
With him leading the midfield in a central attacking midfielder role, playing behind an in-form Leon Bailey and an improving Shamar Nicholson, our attack can become one for other teams to fear throughout the region.
One thing is certain, Ravel will get opportunities to show his class for Jamaica. It is therefore up to him to stay fit and consistent if he wishes to become the talisman that the Reggae Boyz need.