Roman Ferber has been called up by Madagascar for the first time and could make his international debut at the age of 33, after a remarkable scoring season in Luxembourg.
The Belgian striker, who spent much of his career in Belgium’s lower divisions, received the invitation following a change in his sporting nationality. His selection marks a major moment in a career that has taken him through several clubs before an unexpected revival abroad.
Born in Mons in 1993, Ferber has played for RAEC Mons, Sporting Charleroi, Excel Mouscron, Union Saint-Gilloise, Francs Borains, Patro Eisden and Olympique Charleroi.
He currently represents Atert Bissen in Luxembourg, where his form has brought him to national attention.
Ferber finished last season as Luxembourg’s leading scorer after registering 21 goals in 22 league matches. His goals helped Atert Bissen win the league title, and he has continued to set his sights high for the current campaign.
His form also earned him a taste of Champions League football last summer. Atert Bissen faced KI Klaksvik of the Faroe Islands in the first qualifying round, with Ferber playing every minute of both legs. He scored in the second match.
Those performances have now been rewarded with a place in the Madagascar squad. National coach Corentin Martins is able to select Ferber because of a family connection involving his spouse, allowing the forward to pursue international football with the Barea for the first time.
Madagascar will begin their qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with a trip to Nigeria on 25 September. Four days later, they will face Tanzania in Meknes, Morocco.
Ferber’s call-up adds another former Belgian-based player to the Madagascar set-up. The squad also includes former Charleroi midfielder Marco Ilaimaharitra and former Union Berlin player Loic Lapoussin.
For Ferber, the selection represents the latest stage of a career that began in Mons, continued through a series of Belgian clubs and has now been transformed by his goalscoring record in Luxembourg. His 21-goal league campaign and Champions League appearance have opened the door to a first opportunity with Madagascar.