Nigeria have lengthy been a breeding floor for high footballing expertise, producing stars comparable to Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, and Victor Boniface, who’ve shone throughout Europe’s elite leagues, Soccernet.ng experiences.
Nevertheless, the Tremendous Eagles might have been even stronger had a number of dual-nationality gamers chosen to characterize them.
A number of footballers of Nigerian descent have chosen to characterize different nations, significantly European giants, leaving followers to ponder what might have been.
Had these gamers opted for Nigeria, the Tremendous Eagles might have boasted a squad able to making a critical push for World Cup glory.
Right here’s a have a look at the ten most respected gamers, in accordance with Transfermarkt, who had the choice to characterize Nigeria however in the end selected a distinct path.
10. Karim Adeyemi – €40m (Germany, Borussia Dortmund)
The Borussia Dortmund winger, whose father was born in Ibadan, opted to characterize Germany regardless of sturdy ties to Nigeria.
Adeyemi’s blistering tempo and goal-scoring means would have made him an ideal match within the Tremendous Eagles’ assault, however he’s now a part of a brand new era of German stars.
9. Joshua Zirkzee – €40m (Netherlands, Manchester United)
Born to a Nigerian mom and a Dutch father, Zirkzee might have been main the road for the Tremendous Eagles however selected the Netherlands as a substitute.
The highly effective ahead, who lately secured a transfer to Manchester United, has developed into a flexible striker with a watch for aim.
8. Dominic Solanke – €45m (England, Bournemouth)
Regardless of being 27, Solanke stays a extremely helpful striker with a confirmed goal-scoring file within the Premier League.
He performed a key function in England’s youth success, successful the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2017, the place he was named the event’s finest participant. His senior profession with the Three Lions has been restricted to simply three appearances, however he might have had a major influence for Nigeria.
7. Future Udogie – €45m (Italy, Tottenham Hotspur)
The marauding left-back, at the moment impressing within the Premier League with Spurs, is one other participant Nigeria might have known as upon.
Udogie, who has Nigerian mother and father, has already earned 11 caps for Italy and is seen as one among soccer’s brightest defensive prospects.
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6. Samu Aghehowa – €50m (Spain, Porto)
Born in Spain to Nigerian mother and father, Aghehowa has already represented La Roja at youth stage and made his senior debut final 12 months.
A prolific goal-scorer, he has netted eight occasions in 20 appearances for Spain’s youth groups and stays one of the vital promising forwards in European soccer.
5. Eberechi Eze – €55m (England, Crystal Palace)
Typically likened to Nigerian legend Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha, Eze was as soon as seen because the Tremendous Eagles’ subsequent nice playmaker.
Nevertheless, the Crystal Palace midfielder selected England and was a part of their squad at Euro 2024. His dribbling aptitude and talent to drive ahead with the ball make him a participant Nigeria would have cherished to have of their ranks.
4. Ethan Nwaneri – €55m (England, Arsenal)
At simply 17, Nwaneri is already a rising star at Arsenal and has attracted consideration from each England and Nigeria.
He made historical past because the youngest participant to function in a Premier League match and lately scored on his England U21 debut.
Whereas Nigeria proceed to watch his progress, the gifted midfielder appears destined to put on the Three Lions shirt at senior stage.
3. Michael Olise – €80m (France, Crystal Palace)
Born in England to a Nigerian father and a French-Algerian mom, Olise had the uncommon luxurious of selecting between 4 completely different nationwide groups.
The Crystal Palace winger, valued at €80m, determined to characterize France, the place he has been tipped as a future star for Les Bleus. His tough footwork and playmaking talents might have added a brand new dimension to Nigeria’s assault.
2. Jamal Musiala – €140m (Germany, Bayern Munich)
One of the crucial thrilling younger skills in world soccer, Musiala has already remodeled 40 appearances for Germany and was a joint Golden Boot winner at Euro 2024.
The Bayern Munich star had the selection to characterize England or Nigeria however in the end pledged allegiance to Die Mannschaft. His silky dribbling, creativity, and goal-scoring means make him one of the vital coveted gamers within the recreation.
1. Bukayo Saka – €150m (England, Arsenal)
The Arsenal winger, already a key determine for each membership and nation at simply 23, is essentially the most helpful participant on this checklist. A product of the Gunners’ academy, Saka has been instrumental of their resurgence, successful Arsenal’s Participant of the Season award twice.
He performed a vital function in England’s Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 campaigns, each of which led to runners-up finishes. Born to Nigerian mother and father, Saka might have performed for the Tremendous Eagles however as a substitute dedicated his worldwide future to the Three Lions.
Soccernet.ng’s verdict – A missed alternative for Nigeria?
The sheer high quality of gamers Nigeria might have had of their squad is exceptional.
If even half of those stars had chosen the Tremendous Eagles, the nationwide group might have been among the many world’s elite. Whereas Nigeria will proceed to supply high skills, the lack of gamers like Saka, Musiala, and Olise serves as a reminder of how completely different historical past might have been.
The superstars who might have performed for Nigeria
Bukayo Saka | England | €150 million
Jamal Musiala | Germany, England | €140 million
Michael Olise | France, England | €80 million
Ethan Nwaneri | England | €55 million
Ebere Eze | England | €55 million
Samu Aghehowa | Spain | €55 million
Future Udogie | Italy | €45 million
Dominic Solanke | England | €45 million
Joshua Zirkzee | Netherlands | €40 million
Karim Adeyemi | Germany | €40 million
Noni Madueke | England | €40 million
Manuel Akanji | Switzerland | €32 million
Antonio Nusa | Norway | €28 million
Felix Nmecha | Germany, England | €28 million
Kevin Schade | Germany | €27 million
Patrick Dorgu | Denmark | €25 million
