Nigeria’s top football exports: Players making an impact in 2024

Jay-Jay Okocha. Mikel John Obi. Rashidi Yekini. Nigeria has given the world some fantastic footballing superstars across the ages, proving itself as a veritable wellspring of talent and one of the leading soccer nations of the African continent. We will talk about such footballers as:
 

• Ademola Lookman
• Alex Iwobi
• Moses Simon
• Wilfred Ndidi
• Victor Osimhen
• And more.
   

Let’s take a look at some of the leading football talents Nigeria plying their trade in the major European leagues and beyond.

The Top Nigerian Stars in Europe

Ademola Lookman 

Not many players score hat-tricks in European finals. But Ademola Lookman did, and he did it in style against the firm favorites: treble-chasing Bayer Leverkusen. Since then, Lookman has been one of the hottest names in Nigerian football. Fans of this young man have even been going through Hollywoodbets mobile login and placing bets on him as one of the top Serie A scorers for the new season.

Alex Iwobi 

With over 80 caps for the Super Eagles, Alex Iwobi is a name every Nigerian is fully familiar with. He's had ups and downs over the years during spells at Arsenal, Everton, and now Fulham, but has always been a proven Premier League talent who gives his all for the national side.

Moses Simon 

Spending most of his career in Ligue 1, Moses Simon has earned a reputation as a pacy winger with tricky feet who often outmaneuvers his opposing number to both create and score a good number of goals, year after year. At 29, he'll want at least one last shot at an AFCON trophy before hanging up his boots.

Ola Aina 

Versatile enough to play either side of the defense, Ola Aina is another proper Nigerian talent who doesn’t always score headline-grabbing goals, but always chips in with solid, consistent performances. Forest fans hope he can help Nottingham avoid relegation from the Premier League, with some even placing bets on this eventuality on the mobile app.

Kelechi Iheanacho 

Once upon a time, Kelechi Iheanacho was Nigeria’s Golden Boy. He was playing for Man City, scoring goals in big games, and seemed set for superstardom. It hasn’t panned out that way. But he’s still one of his country’s leading ever scorers. And, with a fresh start at Sevilla, the time might be right for Kelechi to live up to his early hype.

Wilfred Ndidi 

Back in the Premier League after Leicester City’s promotion from the Championship, Wilfred Ndidi is a firm fan favorite at the King Power Stadium. Strong, sturdy, aware – he’s exactly the kind of player who goes under the radar, but the type that every team needs in order to be successful.

Calvin Bassey

Widely regarded as one of the most promising young defenders to hail from the African continent, Bassey enjoyed successful spells with Rangers and Ajax in his formative years before progressing to the Premier League with Fulham. He's versatile, calm on the ball, and capable of building out from the back – an invaluable asset for any side. 

Other Top Nigerian Players Abroad

The following Nigerian football exports 2024 don’t play in Europe’s biggest leagues at the moment, but still deserve a shout out for their talent and proven track records of success.

Ahmed Musa

Nigeria’s most-capped player. An undisputed legend. You can’t talk about the top football talents Nigeria without putting some respect on Ahmed Musa’s name. His fascinating, journeyman-like career’s taken him across multiple countries, and he’s scored goals and made things happen, wherever he’s gone. A real icon of the game.

Victor Osimhen 

Rashidi Yekini scored 37 goals for the Nigerian national team in a 15-year spell. He's the country's top scorer ever. Osimhen already has 21 goals, and he's only 25 years of age. He’s set to surpass Yekini’s tally by some distance by the time he hangs up his boots, and he’s easily the most thrilling talent to hail from Africa at the moment.

Bright Osayi-Samuel

Like Osimhen, Bright Osayi-Samuel currently plays in the Turkish league, but has a history in the Championship with Blackpool and QPR. He's a very solid and capable defender, playing part of the 2023 AFCON squad that just fell short in the final. He’s not necessarily a first-choice defender for Nigeria at the moment, but has time on his side to reclaim his spot.

Nigerian Talents Far and Wide

From the Premier League to Serie A, the Super Lig, Ligue 1, and beyond, there are plenty of top Nigerian footballers in action today, providing hope and excitement for Super Eagles fans that someday soon, the AFCON trophy could be coming their way.