januzaj won't play for England... his hero was Albania's Cana, reveals childhood friend.

He may have signed a five-year contract with Manchester United yesterday, but Adnan Januzaj’s international future is still undecided.

And if he chooses to represent England, which his father and the FA maintain is a possibility, it will come as a surprise to those who knew him growing up in Brussels idolising Albanian legend Lorik Cana.

The Belgium flag hangs from several windows in Koekelberg, the middle-class suburb of the capital where Januzaj and his family lived, but it was Sunderland’s Cana, the first Albanian to play in the Premier League, who captured his imagination.

Decisions, decisions: Adnan Januzaj must decide which country he will play international football for

Childhood friend and former team-mate Jonathan Kindermans frowns quizzically at the suggestion that Januzaj might represent England. ‘No, I don’t think he would play for them,’ he said.

‘We used to talk about the national teams. He was always talking about Cana. I would say, “but we have Kompany and Fellaini” and he would say, “yes, but Belgium are bad” because we weren’t doing well at the time.

‘The Albanian fans knew him from when he was 15 and now after he scores two goals the Belgium fans are suddenly taking notice. He could make history with Albania, lead them to a tournament, and they would talk about him in 50 years, or with Belgium, he would pick them if he wants to be at big tournaments but he’s one of many great players in Belgium.’

Hero worship: Januzaj's favourite player was Lorik Cana - the first Albanian in the Premier League

There is one element of Januzaj’s conundrum that is not in dispute. Whichever national team he chooses to represent, it will be a decision taken under the powerful influence of his father, Abedin.

Kosovo-born, Abedin has been a constant influence on his son’s career since he was at his first club, Racing White Daring Molenbeek, just a short drive from their home.
‘His father was always with him and he was very calm,’ said Jean Paul Pira, the club secretary. ‘Adnan was a cute boy and very well educated. On the pitch he had a technique that was extremely impressive for his age. He had a very good mentality. Everyone could see he was special but his father always kept him grounded and he never had a big head.’

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Januzaj was scouted by Anderlecht at 11 and trained at their academy for five years before leaving for Old Trafford. Kindermans came through the age groups with Januzaj and still plays for the club’s Under-21 side.

He talks excitedly of his old friend. ‘My cousin told me, “Adnan scored two times against Sunderland”, so immediately I went to the internet and I was trembling because he is still my childhood friend and it kills me that I couldn’t be there to hug him.

‘It’s weird to see him on TV scoring next to Van Persie and Rooney, it’s incredible. These were players we spoke about.’
Former Anderlecht academy coach Joel Crahay said: ‘His left foot was unbelievable, his shooting was amazing.’

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‘In Anderlecht he took all the free-kicks from 20-25metres, and always scored, it was unbelievable. A truly beautiful thing to watch.’

Those at Anderlecht praise the level-headedness of Januzaj’s father and say he was very protective of his son. To the extent that Januzaj did not know he was definitely going to United until after the deal was virtually completed.

‘I knew he was going to leave before he did,’ said Kindermans. ‘Because my dad is academy director, every day I would say, “is he leaving?” and one day he said, “yes he is leaving to Man United.” I knew but I couldn’t tell Adnan because it had to be a secret.

‘When he found out he was going to United he started preparing, doing exercises to become much more muscular. Everybody said to him, “They’re going to beat you up in the Premier League so watch out”. He was a bit scared so he started doing exercises.’