Nigeria is home to more than 200 million people, making it the most populous in the world. With such a large population, it is only to be expected that somewhere in the country is a talented athlete. Nigeria boasts some of the most talented women and men. And, the names of these individuals are known all over the world. Below, you will find a list of the top male football players that hail from Nigeria.
The Love Of Football
Nigerians love football. Many young children grow up mimicking their favorite players. They wake up with a soccer ball in their hands. Some will spend their every waking moment playing even if they do not have access to a suitable soccer field. So, it isn’t unusual to see a group of young Nigerians playing soccer in the streets. While only a few of these kids will go on to play professional soccer, the hope still remains.
There are a number of Nigerians that have been picked to play professional football for several countries. These countries include Portugal, Turkey, England, Italy and Norway. These are the players that give young Nigerians hope that they will someday play for a professional football globe.
Alex Iwobi
Alex Iwobi is a professional footballer who was born in Nigeria on May 3, 1996. The forward plays for both the Nigeria national team and Premier League club Arsenal. At the young age of four, Iwobi’s parents moved to England. Iwobi is not the only member of his family to become a professional footballer. Jay-Jay Okocha, Iwobi’s uncle, played as an attacking midfielder for the Nigeria national team.
Records show that Iwobi’s net worth is about $5 million. With so much success, it is no wonder why Iwobi is a household name in Nigeria. The 23-year-old is gearing up for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, which he describes as a “serious battle”.
Victor Moses
Victor Moses grew up without a family but this didn’t stop him from striving for success. The 28-year-old lived with relatives and grew up loving and playing soccer. His opportunity came when he was offered a spot on the Crystal Palace Football Club that is based in South London. In 2010, Moses moved to the Premier League. After two years of playing in the Premier League, he was offered a position with Chelsea.
Records show that Moses’ network is about $23 million. Along with Iwobi, Moses is a household name in Nigeria. Young boys grow up idolizing the professional footballer. And, most hope to someday follow in his footsteps.
John Obi Mikel
Like young Americans who grow up idolizing the top gambling CasinoGuru Canada champions, Nigerians set their eyes on becoming a professional footballer at a very young age. John Mikel Obi (John Michael Mchekwube Obinna) was born on April 22, 1987 in Nigeria. He grew up in Jos, playing soccer in the streets with other young children. At the young age of 12, Mikel caught the eye of Pepsi. Joining the team was the best decision the young footballer could ever make. He finally made his way to Fulham, London where he played professional football for the Chelsa Football Club. He later went on to play for Tianjin TEDA, a Chinese football club.
Reports show that Moses’ net worth is around $25 million. The famous Nigerian footballer continues to play for Tianjin TEDA. Even though he lives in China, many young Nigerians follow his every career move. Athletes like Moses is what gives hope to the young kids who grow up playing soccer in Nigerian streets.
Leon Balogun
Leon Balogun is one of the most popular professional footballers to hail from Nigeria. Balogun was born in West Berlin on June 28, 1988. While he wasn’t born in Nigeria, his father is a native of the country. He joined the Premier League in 2014. Unfortunately, he was injured within 20 minutes of getting on the field while playing Mexico. The injury took Balogun out of the sport for about three months. He had to undergo treatment to repair his fractured ankle. He currently plays for the Brighton and Hove Albion Team and the Premier League.
Reports show that Balogun’s net worth is about $3 million. Young Nigerian boys idolize Balogun and hope to someday join the Premier League.
