MANILA, Philippines – As France secured its second World Cup title after 20 years, its 3rd string goalkeeper Alphonse Areola also made history books as the first Filipino FIFA World Cup champion.

KEEP CALM ! The World Cup is here ! CHAMPION DU MONDE ! @equipedefrance #fiersdetrebleus #ChampionduMonde

A post shared by Alphonse Areola (@areolaofficiel) on Jul 15, 2018 at 11:31am PDT

Areola is one of the 18 players in France’s young 24-man roster with immigrant backgrounds.

#FRA Players from immigrant background:

Umtiti
Kimpembe
Sidibe
Mandanda
Fekir
Pogba
Tolisso
Mendy
Nzonzi
Rami
Kante
/Dembele
Mbappe
Griezmann
Lloris / Hernández
Giroud
Areola
/Matuidi pic.twitter.com/vxEAEDAwB0

— 8Fact Football (@8Fact_Footballl) July 15, 2018

Born to Filipino parents who migrated to France, the 25-year-old goalkeeper played for the French youth team from 2008 to 2014 before getting called up to suit up for the senior squad in 2015.

There is still a chance for Areola to represent the Philippines as one of the Azkals as he has never capped for the France senior national team.

The French-Pinoy currently plays for 2017-2018 Ligue 1 champion Paris Saint-Germain, which recently acquired veteran keeper Gianluigi Buffon from Juventus FC. – Rappler.com