Fuhad Abdulsalam: Future Eagles free-kick specialist likened to 2022 World Cup winner Angel Di Maria

Fuhad Abdulsalam, a rising star in Nigerian football, is quickly gaining recognition as a free-kick specialist, drawing comparisons to some of the game's legends. 

The forward, who plays for the Future Eagles, Nigeria's U-15 national team, showcased his skills at the recent WAFU-B U-15 Championship in Niger Republic.

Though Nigeria's Future Eagles failed to qualify for the U-15 tournament, finishing with just one point from their two games, Fuhad's individual talent has not gone unnoticed.

In the team’s second match against Benin, he was one of the standout players, even though the match ended in a goalless draw.

Back home in Nigeria, Fuhad continues to shine with Kwara Football Academy (KFA).

The young forward played a crucial role in securing a third consecutive Kwara Kiddies League title for his team, scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 victory over Surprise FA this past weekend.

His goal came from a stunning free-kick that curled perfectly into the top-right corner of the net, a goal that drew comparisons to Ángel Di María's iconic strike for PSG against Barcelona in the 2017 UEFA Champions League Round of 16.

In an exclusive interview with allnigeriasoccer.com, Fuhad reflected on his admiration for 2022 World Cup-winning forward, Di María, citing the former Real Madrid star as his idol.

"I am a left-footed player. I like and learn from a lot of left-footed players in Europe, but my idol is Ángel Di María. I watched and learned a lot from him during his time at Real Madrid," Fuhad said.

The young forward admires Di María’s versatility, his ability to play in midfield, on the wings, and his skill in dribbling.

"I like the fact that he can play in midfield, on the wings, and can also dribble," Fuhad added.

Fuhad’s free-kick prowess is evident, with the young forward scoring four free-kick goals in the 2024 Kwara Kiddies League, bringing his total to ten goals for the season.

Last year, he netted an impressive nine free-kicks, further cementing his reputation as a deadly set-piece taker.

Adeyemi Adewale

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