AS Monaco striker Folarin Balogun shares his professional success with his parents, Ben and Florence, and his two siblings.
On September 9, Folarin Balogun scored a goal from a pass by Christian Pulisic, helping the United States secure a 2–0 victory over Japan.
With the USA co-hosting the World Cup in 2026, the competition for the striker position is fierce, but Balogun appears to have a strong chance as a frontrunner.
American Striker Folarin Balogun Has Two Siblings Who Maintain a Private Life
Born on July 3, 2001, in Brooklyn, New York, Folarin Balogun moved to London with his family at the age of two.
Folarin Balogun is one of three children of Ben and Florence Balogun, Nigerian immigrants who moved to London seeking better opportunities for their family.
While much about Folarin’s siblings remains private, it is known that he has one brother and one sister.
The only publicly available detail is that his sister’s name is Tolani. Beyond that, little is confirmed about them.
However, he has the support of his family for his rising career, as he has often mentioned that his family’s presence directs the matches.
During his time with ESPN, he mentioned that he always sits with his family before making any big decision.
While he was with Reims, he had to make a decision, and for this he said:
“I took that risk, I sat down with my agent and my family and I thought to myself, I know I have the ability to do it and I’ll just do it and almost prove you guys wrong,” “In the end, I was able to do that. “It’s a lot more difficult than I might be making out. There were a lot of challenges, especially off the pitch, that helped me to develop as a man.”
Adjusting to life outside the Nigerian community in London was not easy for his parents, especially for his mother, who worked full-time as an accountant while raising three children.
Despite these challenges, Ben and Florence managed to provide a stable upbringing for Folarin and his siblings.
With their support, Folarin began his football journey with Aldersbrook FC before joining Arsenal’s youth academy at the age of eight.
Following his origin, Folarin was eligible to represent the United States, England, and Nigeria. Balogun initially played for England at various youth levels.
However, in May 2023, he committed to the USMNT. He made his senior debut in June 2023, scoring in the CONCACAF Nations League final against Canada.
In Case You Don’t Know
- As per Folarin’s mother, he was born in the USA by accident. His parents were only visiting New York when his mother, Florence, gave birth unexpectedly, which is how he gained U.S. citizenship.
