Nigeria is one of the top economies in Africa and will always feature everywhere. Nigeria’s impact is everywhere in the sporting world, with players playing in different clubs across Europe and outside, while fans enjoy sports betting when their favorite stars play.
Nigeria has featured players in soccer, American football, and basketball. Have you heard of Jay Jay Okocha or Nwankwo Kanu? Well, those are some of the players who inspired thriving young stars like Victor Osimhen, who is currently the best Napoli striker and the most famous striker in modern football.
So, who are the top 5 most famous Nigerian soccer stars? Let’s explore!
Victor Moses is a top Nigerian professional soccer player who has made a name for himself. He was born in 1990 and played for FC Spartak Moscow as a winger. Victor Moses is talented and can play on either flank of the wing.
The player’s current value is at €3.00m. He moved to FC Spartak Moscow in 2021, and his current contract expires on June 30, 2024. Moses has played for 3 seasons in 59 matches and scored 9 goals with several assists.
Victor Moses earlier played for Premier League side Chelsea Fc where he had a successful run and won the Premier League. He scored 7 goals in 66 appearances as a winger. Moses spent nine years at Chelsea and moved permanently to Moscow.
Moses was part of the Nigerian National team and helped them qualify for AFCON and World Cup.
One of the best strikers Napoli has had over the years. The 24-year-old Osimhen is a natural striker who has brought back joy to the Napoli side in the 2022/23 season. Napoli is 19 points clear and likely to win the Serie A.
Victor Osimhen is now the popular player in Nigeria and will likely help them qualify for the coming world cup. At 24, the player still has a bright future. He has helped Napoli qualify for the quarter-finals of the UEFA champions league.
The top Nigerian player has a release clause of €120 million and has attracted top teams in the Premier league.
Osimhen is the super-eagles striker and the high-value player in Africa. If sold, Osimhen will be the most expensive player in Africa.
Alex Iwobi plays for the Premier League side Everton. He was born in Lagos in 1996 and moved to England when he was four. He played for England at the under-18 levels.
The Nigerian midfielder began his career at Arsenal, where he played 149 games and scored goals. Some of his top achievements at the gunners were winning the FA Cup and being on the 2019 UEFA Europa League final scoresheet.
In 2019, he was transferred to Everton for a fee of £28 million. Jay Jay Okocha is the maternal uncle to Iwobi.
In 2015, Iwobi made his senior debut for the Nigerian National team. He was in the 2018 FIFA World Cup squad and the 2019 and 2021 African Cup of Nations squads.
Mikel was born in 1987 and played as a defensive midfielder. The retired Nigerian former professional football player was loved in the English Premier League, with his impact on Chelsea praised.
Mikel started at Plateau United and then proceeded to Lyn. In 2006, he received interest from Chelsea and Manchester United but penned a signature for the Blues.
Mikel played for Chelsea for 11 years and, later, in 2017, moved to China. He spent 2 years in China and moved back to England, where he joined Middlesbrough. He later joined Trabzonspor on a free transfer. Mikel signed for Stoke City in 2020.
Mikel played 91 times for the Super Eagles.
Kelechi Iheanacho was born in 1996. He plays for the Nigerian National team and Leicester City. The forward began his trade at Manchester City in the 2015-16 season.
He later moved to Leicester city at a reported fee of £25 million. Iheanacho made his senior debut for Nigeria in 2015 and later played in the 2018 World Cup. He also played in the 2021 AFCON. Earlier, Kelechi was part of the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Kalechi has been instrumental for the Leicester City side and was awarded a contract extension in 2021.
Verdict
Nigerian players in top leagues are uncountable. We shared some of the top names. Some are still playing actively, while others have retired. With time, Nigeria will top the world’s talent as most youthful players are coming up and loving the game.
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