Pernia seeks dual citizenship
Getafe's Mariano Pernia is seeking dual citizenship in his quest to represent Spain.
Getafe's in-form Argentina defender Mariano Pernia is hoping to enhance his World Cup prospects by applying for dual citizenship so that he can have the chance to play for the Spain national side.
The 28-year-old confessed that he shares every professional footballer's dream in playing at the World Cup and after spending four years in Spain, now feels that he has found a new home.
"Playing in the World Cup is the tops for every footballer and I'm certainly dreaming of doing that," the former Independiente full back told sports daily Marca.
"I would like to play for Spain because my daughter is Spanish and I feel Spanish too. This country is my home and will remain so in the future.
"It doesn't depend on me though, and I don't want to get my hopes up because if it doesn't happen, it will be a big blow.
"In any case, I still don't have a Spanish citizenship yet, although I hope that will happen very soon."
The Buenos Aires-born defender has never played for Argentina and so would be eligible for selection, should Spain coach Luis Aragones see fit and should the application for dual citizenship work out.
The talented defender grabbed the headlines over the weekend after scoring a brace in Sunday's 5-0 thrashing of Espanyol, his second being an exquisite free kick from all of 25 yards.
"I am at the top of my form and this is my chance and I will certainly be fighting to take advantage of it," he said.
Aragones is said to be monitoring the player's progress carefully, but is fully aware that his hands are tied in terms of a call-up, unless Spanish citizenship is granted.
If that does happen, Pernia would then have the unenviable task of dislodging Chelsea's Asier Del Horno and Atletico Madrid's Antonio Lopez for the left back berth in Germany.
The full back is expected to move to Valencia at the end of the season after Getafe president Angel Torres said he would grant the Liga club first option on the player.
