Football: Tyler Boyd turns his back on the All Whites

Tyler Boyd in action for the All Whites. Photosport

One of New Zealand's most promising young footballers has seemingly turned his back on an All Whites career.

Former Phoenix winger Tyler Boyd, who has made 18 appearances in the Portuguese first division this season after an impressive rise through the ranks in the Iberian country, has reportedly said Nao, Obrigado in response to new overtures from New Zealand Football.

The 23-year-old hasn't appeared in an All Whites shirt since 2015, and seemed to fall out with former coach Anthony Hudson during that period.

The Herald understands that a member of the new All Whites coaching panel contacted Boyd, as they look to liaise with Kiwi players across the globe.

But Boyd is believed to have told NZF that he wants to focus on his club career in Europe, and at this stage, won't be available for the All Whites across the next cycle.

It's a great shame. Boyd has developed considerably since leaving Wellington in early 2015.

He's certainly taken the road less travelled.

While most young Kiwi footballers head for Britain or Scandinavia (or the Netherlands in recent years) Boyd chose to enter one of the footballing hotbeds of Europe, famed for their scientific approach, technical prowess and game smarts.

From the A League, that's some jump. It's the country of Eusebio and Cristiano Ronaldo, and their national team are the reigning European champions.

The Primeira Liga is rated in the top six leagues on the continent, and Portuguese clubs have featured in the European Cup final nine times, with Benfica and Porto lifting the trophy on two occasions each.

When he arrived in Europe he was only a few months out of his teens, and he didn't speak any Portuguese. Adapting to the lifestyle wasn't that hard, but the football was a massive step up.

In terms of a challenge, it feels a bit like young rugby player from Georgia venturing to Christchurch or Wellington to make a mark. It's been a steep learning curve, but Boyd has made a significant breakthrough this year.

After two seasons with Vitoria Guimaraes B in the second tier where he played 73 games (13 goals and six assists), Boyd was loaned to first division CD Tondela at the start of this season.

So far he's adapted well.

He became the first Kiwi to play in the Portuguese Primeira Liga when he made his debut in August, and two weeks later scored his first goal with a right foot shot against Moreirense.

He has since taken the field against all the big clubs, including Porto, Sporting Lisbon, Benfica and Boavista, and even found the net against Benfica.

Boyd has mainly been used off the bench in this campaign, but started in two of the last three matches, including one against former Europa League finalists Braga.

Compared to many of the other attacking players currently in the All Whites frame, Boyd is arguably playing at a higher level.

Boyd made his All Whites debut in May 2014 against Japan, during Neil Emblen's tenure as interim coach.

He also played in Emblen's second match in charge (against South Africa), then featured in Anthony Hudson's first three squads (against Uzbekistan, China and Thailand).

But he hasn't been part of an All Whites squad since March 2015, when the team faced Korea in Seoul.

Boyd has been affected by various injuries during that time, and has also chosen to prioritise his club career.

The relationship between Hudson and Boyd appeared to turn sour after the 2016 OFC Nations Cup, when Boyd chose to focus on his pre-season in Portugal, despite the fact that the All Whites team had been depleted by injuries and withdrawals at that time.

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