Nigeria has a history of producing some of the world’s best footballers. Fans of the sport understand how the country consistently produces the best players. There is a good chance that you’re familiar with a few of these individuals. Although there are many others, some of the most popular include Victor Osimhen, Mikel John Obi, and Jay-Jay Okocha.
These players and others have helped put Nigeria on the football map. Who are the leading footballers from Nigeria? What have these players done to establish themselves as the best players in the world?
Victor Osimhen
Even though he is only 23 years old, Victor James Osimhen is quickly becoming one of the best footballers in the world. He was born in Lagos on December 29, 1998. The striker is a powerful force and never lets up. During his youth career, he spent time playing for Ultimate Strikers Academy.
Although his career is young, he has played for several teams, including Napoli, Lille, and Charleroi. In addition to this, he has been a member of the Ghana national team since 2015 having playedfor the under-17 team in 2015.
In 2015, he was awarded the Golden Boot for the FIFA U-17 World Cup. During that tournament, he helped Nigeria claim the trophy. His international debut took place in June 2017. He also played during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. As a member of Napoli, he has been an effective scorer. However, he was injured at one point and had to be removed from the field using a stretcher.
It is only a matter of time before Victor establishes his place in the Nigerian history books.
Jay-Jay Okocha
While there are many outstanding Nigerian footballers, it is hard to compete with Jay-Jay Okocha. He was born as Augustine Azuka Okocha on August 14, 1973, in Enugu. The 49-year-old was untouchable during the peak of his career. He repeatedly overshadowed the competition and dominated the game.
He spent time with the Enugu Rangers as a youth. The attacking midfielder proved to be a valuable asset for each team he played for including Hull City, Qatar SC, Bolton Wanderers, and Paris Saint-Germain. Okocha was a member of the Nigerian national team from 1993 to 2006.
He was a part of the victorious Nigerian team that won the 1994 African Cup of Nations. Okocha shot to fame during the 2000 African Cup of Nations as a member of the Super Eagles. During the opening game against Tunisia, he scores two goals. Before he left the field, he received a standing ovation.
Mikel John Obi
Mikel John Obi could be one of the best defensive midfielders from Nigeria. The former player always showed up during his career. The 35-year-old was born in Jos on April 22, 1987. He spent his youth career with Plateau United. He is one of the few players to stay with a club for a long period.
For instance, he played for Chelsea for 11 years before he moved to China to play for Tianjin TEDA. After spending two years in China, Obi moved back to England to play for Middlesbrough briefly. During his career, he also played for Stoke City, Kuwait SC, Lyn, and Trabzonspor.
Obi was a member of the Nigerian national team and the Nigerian Olympic Team. He scored a goal for Nigeria during the 2016 Olympics. Individuals who like playing the สล็อตเว็บใหญ่ที่สุด loved watching Obi play during his prime.
Samuel Chukwueze
Finally, you cannot forget the magnificent winger named Samuel Chukwueze. The 23-year-old was born in Umuahia on May 22, 1999. He played for multiple teams during his youth career, including Future Hope, New Generational Academy, Diamond Football Academy, and Villarreal.
Since he started playing football at eight, he was destined for greatness. While growing up, he always admired Jay-Jay Okocha and used the Nigerian for inspiration. Another thing to note is that he was mentored by Victor Apugo whom he considered a father figure.
Samuel has stood out during his international career. He debuted for the senior team in November 2018. His first game was a draw against Uganda. He is often compared to Arjen Robben since his skill set is similar. Ultimately, Samuel is still young so he has plenty of time to develop and become one of the best Nigerian footballers ever.
