It appears the Reggae Boyz are about to get a significant upgrade.
Marseille star Mason Greenwood has submitted paperwork to change his official nationality from England to Jamaica. The move comes after England informed Greenwood that he would not be selected for future national squads after the star got into legal trouble three years ago. After the incident, Manchester United let Greenwood go, meaning his ties to the country are now completely severed.
Greenwood is currently the leading scorer in Ligue 1 despite being just 23 years old. The forward was one of the top prospects Manchester United had ever seen, but it didn’t stop them from cutting ties after the ugly details of the accusations against the star came out. All charges were eventually dropped, meaning Greenwood wasn’t convicted of a crime.
While the Marseille striker was born in England, his father is from Jamaica. This relationship was enough to get the switch approved.
Greenwood Thriving Since Departure from EPL
Things looked bleak for Mason Greenwood three years ago. The charges were announced and made public, tarnishing the striker’s reputation. His club let him go, and his country refused to give him any more chances to make the national squad.
Greenwood joined La Liga club Getafe for one season after leaving Manchester United. He managed eight goals and was able to turn some heads in Europe. Once the charges were dropped in February 2023, the star attracted the attention of Ligue 1’s Marseille.
The young star has thrived in his first season with the club. He leads the league with 12 goals scored, surpassing his career-high 10. His elite play has Marseille sitting in second place on the Ligue 1 table after finishing in eighth place last season.
Departure Could be Good News for Marseille
Mason Greenwood’s decision to cut off all ties to England could be great for Marseille. The club suddenly has one of the most promising young stars in the world and a lot less competition to keep him there.
The English Premier League is home to some of Europe’s largest and wealthiest clubs. Greenwood’s desire to play at home seemed to be strong, but that is no longer a factor. With the national team rejecting him, Manchester United abandoning him, and the country trying to convict him of a crime, there is little reason to believe Greenwood would ever want to return.
Although Marseille doesn’t have the standing of other European giants, it did give the star a chance at a fresh start with a strong club. While it remains far behind Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), it is firmly entrenched in second place, which would earn it a trip to the UEFA Champions League.
Greenwood staying in France long term is far from certain, but the chances are far better with the star cutting England out of his life.
Jamaica World Cup Odds to Get Massive Bump
Nobody is saying that Jamaica will win a World Cup because of Mason Greenwood, but qualification seems far more possible. The country’s qualifying region features many smaller countries with similarly talented national teams. However, the Reggae Boyz will now have a massive advantage.
Not only is Greenwood one of the most talented young scorers in the world, but he also brings experience his teammates don’t have. He has already played in three of Europe’s most prominent leagues against the best players worldwide, many of whom will play for their national teams.
Once Greenwood steps on the pitch for Jamaica, expect sportsbooks to adjust the teams’ odds. World Cup qualifiers are underway, and the country will likely be a betting favorite in more matches.
Sportsbooks have not yet released odds for the 2026 World Cup, but expect Jamaica’s to be far higher than in years past. Just be sure to find the best signup bonuses for sports betting before the odds are released, and the money starts to pour in for a surprising result for Jamaica.
Another Loss for Manchester United
While we can’t criticize the Red Devils for their decision to move on from Mason Greenwood, there is no question they suffered for it.
Greenwood’s success with Marseille shows just how good the striker can be. With his legal issues resolved and his nationality switched, he seems to finally be turning into the star Manchester United hoped he would be when adding him to their youth academy. That is tough for the club to watch, especially as they are mired in one of the club’s worst seasons in recent memory.
The charges against Greenwood were very serious, but the Red Devils are likely to face criticism for their decision to move on as the club struggles and the striker thrives.
