Jamaica's Giles Barnes (9) celebrates after Jamaica defeated the United States 2-1 in a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer semi-final, Wednesday, July 22, 2015, in Atlanta.) - AP

SHAYNE FAIRMAN, STAR Writer

It's a long-awaited honour to play for Jamaica, said national senior footballer Giles Barnes.

Barnes, who plys his trade in United States Major League Soccer, maintains that although he was born in England, he is proud to represent the country.

"Jamaica is my country, regardless. I was raised the Jamaican way, so there is no one more proud, more eager to put on the shirt and no one more eager to play in Kingston, and that's a view shared by a lot of the Boyz here," Barnes shared in a recent interview.

Some Jamaicans have called into question the selection of foreign-based players over locally based talent for the recent Copa America and CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments.

"I've been looking to play for Jamaica for a long time. it's taken me almost six years to get everything done, so for me it's such a pride to represent my family, and the country, so well," said Barnes.

"My friends (in England) go crazy. a lot of my friends are of Jamaican descent as well. My family as well, my nan (grandmother), she is the one that texts me every single day before every game she remembers. She got my shirt up on her wall. she is a proud Jamaican, and I am representing our country," he told STAR Sports.

It will be his first time playing at the National Stadium when he suits up against Nicaragua in the World Cup Qualifiers this evening and he said he is hoping for some fireworks.

"It's gonna be worth it. Come down, support the Boyz and see us get to the next level," Barnes stressed.