Arsenal star Folarin Balogun has sent a simple message to USMNT teammate Weston McKennie after being at the centre of a mass brawl during the CONCACAF semi-final clash with Mexico. In what was Balogun's first game as a senior international, there was no easy start.
The 21-year-old started for USA interim boss BJ Callaghan in his men's debut having made his allegiances clear earlier this year. The striker, who spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Stade de Reims in France, had played for both England and USA at junior and youth levels.
With no clear pathway into Gareth Southgate's Three Lions side, Balogun has instead chosen to represent America and got the nod to lead the line straight away. Although he was unable to score during his 75 minutes on the pitch, he did find himself in the middle of a heated encounter.
It was the Hale End academy graduate that kicked off an explosive final 20 minutes of the game. He battled Cesar Montes to win the ball and was then aggressively kicked while sprinting away in possession. Montes was sent off but his wild tackle sparked a major fight between the two sets of players.
Balogun, on the floor at this point, was strongly defended by his teammates and especially McKennie. The Juventus man responded angrily to the lash out at his fellow countryman but was sent off for his involvement in the coming together. After having his shirt ripped the former Leeds man then incited yet more irritation after kissing the badge in front of the opposition players.
Four players were sent off in total during a fiery match that saw USA win 3-0. Both Montes and McKennie saw red for their roles in the initial scurmish whilst Serginio Dest and Gerardo Arteaga were dismissed late on following another coming together.
READ MORE: Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: Declan Rice £100m offer, Havertz deal 'close', Caicedo 'agreed'
As a newcomer to the team, Balogun was supported by the experienced McKennie, who was featured 42 times for his country since 2017 and is a key part of the growing squad. Despite now being in a position whereby he will miss the final against Canada later this week, McKennie took to social media to show his joy.
"Gutted for the red but HEY TRES A CERO!!!! This is our team!! Proud of the guys," he posted on Instagram. With a mocking message to Mexico as well as further evidence of the tight-knit group being created in the USMNT camp, Balogun responded: "Brother [raised hands emoji]."
Balogun himself took to social media to address his new fans. "It wasn’t pretty but we got the job done. We recover and prepare for the final," he wrote.
Even after just one game together the pair seem to have developed quite the relationship off the pitch and fellow teammates Gio Reyna, Timothy Weah and former Arsenal academy starlet Yunus Musah were all there to support him in the comments.
Balogun will now have all eyes on recovering in time for the final after going off injured and seeing his replacement Ricardo Pepi score a third after coming on.
Christian Pulisic had put USA 2-0 with goals either side of halftime and was also there to defend his new teammate but was less combative than McKennie. Either way he certainly has the wholesome support of his squad behind him and will be keen to get back to action quickly.
After that he will have a big decision to make on his future with remaining at Arsenal not the surefire decision that it may seem. With Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus posing as initial competition for the youngster, Mikel Arteta's interest in Kai Havertz also demonstrates the challenge ahead of him.
With the Spanish boss far from firm on having Balogun involved with the first-team squad next season there are big questions over what comes next.
Who should Arsenal keep or sell this summer? Have your say below!
READ NEXT:
Arsenal give West Ham huge transfer incentive as Edu prepares £100m Declan Rice bid
Arsenal transfer news: Edu prepares £100m Declan Rice bid as Kai Havertz contact made
