Three Nigerians Who Took Vinícius Junior's Path To International Recognition

Real Madrid sensation, Vinícius Junior on Thursday afternoon earned his first call-up for Brazil as he was included as part of the country's squad for March's Chevrolet Brasil Global Tour matches.

The 18-year-old has had a breakout season with the Spanish La Liga club and has been rewarded on the back of his sensational displays.

Many youngsters have gone on to have a better international career after impressing with their clubs but who are Nigerians that have matched this in the past?

Allnigeriasoccer.com profiles three Nigerians who took such path to international recognition..

Mikel Obi: Mikel Obi's talents was already glowing so much during his time with Lyn Oslo in Norway that he will not stick around Bislett stadium for much longer.

Aged just 18 at that time, the then boy-wonder was already attracting interest from two of the English Premier League teams, Manchester United and Chelsea but just before he eventually plumped for the latter in 2006 where he made his name, national team gaffer, Augustine Eguavoen saw fit to hand the midfielder his senior team debut in an international friendly win against Libya.

Francis Uzoho: Uzoho broke out with Deportivo La Coruna B in Spain and after churning out a number of sterling showings for the team, the goalkeeper earned a promotion to the Branquiazuis senior team where he kept up his promise.

Manager Gernot Rohr, in search of the heir apparent to ex-goalie Vincent Enyeama's position between the sticks turned to the Aspire Academy product and handed him his senior international debut in 2017 against Argentina.

He has since not looked back, having made the national gloves his own and was the undisputed No 1 at last year's World Cup in Russia.

Samuel Kalu: After an under-the-radar move to AS Trencin in Slovakia back in 2015, Kalu's qualities vividly manifested and it was only a matter of time before Belgian club KRC Gent came calling for the then 19-year-old.

His eye-catching displays in the First Division soon led to him been named among the top fifty most promising prospects in Europe by CIES Football Observatory as at that time alongside the likes of Gianluigi Donnarumma and Kylian Mbappe.