Players of African descent have for long flooded Europe in search of better opportunities with the trend that infiltrating national teams as was evidenced by what happened at Euro 2024.
Tournament winners had teenage sensation Lamine Yamal providing the thrills on one flank, while Nico Williams did the same on the other wing as they justifiably took home personal awards at the end of the competition.
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Lamal's parents hail from Equatorial Guinea and Morocco, while Williams has his roots in Ghana.
Across the tournament, there was Bukayo Saka, Cody Gakpo, Antonio Rudiger, Ousmane Dembele, Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Akanji, Jamal Musiala and Kylian Mbappe amongst a long list of players with African roots.
"I have a lot of respect for the African talent because I have worked there before and understand the dynamics," says Spanish coach Albert Samso Besora, who has worked in Burundi before.
"We are living in a world where migration has become a part of us in every sphere of society.
"I speak about football because this is where I'm involved, and just look at Spain.
"The two golden boys of Spanish football who are the best bets to win the Ballon d'Or in the next few years both have their roots in Africa.
"It is Lamine and Nico.
"Both born here in Spain but are of African origin, but they are making a world of a difference in the national team because they have been embraced.
"This is Europe benefitting from African roots excellence.
"There are African communities living in every country across Europe and the rest of the world because people have migrated for different reasons over the years.
"I'm an advocate for the best talent playing for countries that they identify with, especially when born there.
"Nowadays, it has come down to choices as a player can choose what country they can represent based on eligibility.
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"Lamine could have chosen to play for Morocco or Equatorial Guinea, but he chose Spain because I suppose this is the country that serves his interests best and he was born here after all.
"Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid) chose Morocco but was born here in Spain," says Besora, who has interest on the South African coaching market.