For many people, representing one's country and playing international football should be the pinnacle of a player's career, believing there ought to be great pride and honor in representing your country. However, there are a number of examples in which this does not appear to be the case. A player representing two or more countries over their career certainly seems at odds with such ideals, as it seems difficult to believe a player could have such passion and attachment to more than one nation.

Swapping national teams prior to the 1960s, when FIFA took the decision to implement far tighter restrictions, was not a particularly rare occurrence. Some of the greatest players of their day swapped national teams, sometimes more than once, as you will see. Even since the new rules have come in a player can still swap national teams providing they haven't played in a competitive fixture for their first national team.

1. Diego Costa



A modern day example of a player who has played for two national team, Diego Costa represented his native Brazil twice before making the controversial decision to switch his allegiances and play for Spain instead. Costa, a La Liga and Premier League winner who seems to have controversy follow him wherever he goes played for Brazil against Italy and Russia, but as the games were friendlies, FIFA granted him permission to switch national teams. There was some anticipation as Costa headed to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with Spain, but as it happened, both countries' tournaments ended in humiliation.

2. Alfredo Di Stefano



Di Stefano made the most of more relaxed rules.

Back in the old days when international rules were more relaxed, Real Madrid icon Di Stefano switched from his homeland Argentina, who he scored six in as many matches for, to Spain after gaining citizenship. He also had four caps for Colombia, but they were unofficial fixtures.

3. Luis Monti

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