Bacuna set to represent Curaçao over international break
- Town midfielder switched allegiance to Curaçao last month
- Bacuna recently called up to the nation’s senior side for upcoming games
- Juninho could earn his first cap during the international break
Huddersfield Town midfielder Juninho Bacuna says it’s a dream come true to have the opportunity to play senior international football for Curaçao.
Bacca represented the Netherlands at youth level but switched his allegiance to Curaçao with the hope of continuing his development regularly at international level.
“I just want to play a lot of games, if I go for the Netherlands, I don’t want to play one or two times and I know if I go for Curaçao I will play every game and be a part of the team,” explained the midfielder.
Since the announcement, the 22-year-old has since been called up to the Curaçao senior squad for their back-to-back games against Haiti in the CONCAF Nations League.
“It excites me a lot. I get to play for my home country, for the people over there. They ask me every time when I’m coming to play for them.
“Now I’ve announced I’m going to play for them, I got a lot of messages, they are happy that I’m coming and that I can help the team.”
Town’s number 7 is also hoping that his decision will inspire more players to do the same in the future and has set his ambitions high for the years to come.
“Maybe because I went to play for Curaçao, more players will come and make the team stronger; that’s what we need. We want to try to get to the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.”
Bacca’s decision means he will re-unite with his brother, Leandro, meaning they could potentially line-up together for the first time ever at senior level.
Leandro, who plays his club football at Cardiff City, has scored 12 goals in 28 appearances for the national side.
“It’s always been a dream to play with my brother for one team. Hopefully we can play together and do something for our country.”
Juninho could earn his first caps for Curaçao when they face Haiti on Saturday 7 September 2019 and Tuesday 10 September 2019 in the CONCAF Nations League.
