La Liga GOTM: Super Eagles striker wins award in Spain after being benched in WCQs

Valencia striker Umar Sadiq has won La Liga's Goal of the Month award for March 2025, La Liga has informed through official channels. 

The Nigeria national teamer saw off competition from Rayo Vallecano's Romania right-back Andrei Ratiu and CD Leganes' center forward Diego Garcia to win the monthly accolade.

Sadiq's backheel goal in the 87th minute of Valencia's 3-3 draw with Osasuna was considered by La Liga to be the best goal scored in the division this month.

With the match nearing its conclusion and Valencia trailing, Sadiq displayed his remarkable skill and composure by executing a perfectly timed backheel that left Osasuna’s goalkeeper, Sergio Herrera, rooted to the spot.

His technical brilliance and awareness in that crucial moment earned him the recognition as a worthy Goal of the Month winner. 

This month, Sadiq has been a key player for Valencia, scoring three goals (2 against Osasuna and 1 against Real Valladolid CF) in three matches in the Spanish top-flight.

The 2006 Olympics bronze medalist was also nominated for La Liga's Player of the Month award.

Sadiq shares the La Liga spotlight with fellow Valencia player Diego López, who was named the Best Under-23 Player in March after equaling the Super Eagles striker's goal count.

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle chose Victor Osimhen to spearhead Nigeria's attack in the recent World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe, leaving the Real Sociedad loanee as an unused substitute while Tolu Arokodare and Victor Boniface provided backup options.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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