Originally Reported BY KOLA OLUGBOJI
They Used To Be Most Valuable Nigerian Players In World Football. Well, that was merely two years ago. Within that short spell of time, a lot of things have changed about them and the game. Who were these most valuable Nigerian players in world football?
By way of background, Nigerian footballers have always proven to be hot-property and a pool of talent to dip from when looking for quality from this side of the planet. Although many may support the argument that Nigeria does not have quality representation in world football, like in the past where the likes of Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, and Daniel Amokachi, Victor Ikpeba held sway, there are a plethora of talents in the game today. Here are five of the most valuable or most expensive Nigerian players in the market not long ago.
Alex Iwobi (€55.2 million); The Hale End Academy product is at the top of the list ahead of Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi. Iwobi’s market value is at an all-time high of €55.2 million on the back of his recent string of fine performances for the Gunners which saw him force his way into Arsenal’s starting eleven towards the end on the season.
Wilfred Ndidi (€40.5 million); the tall, combative central midfielder having won a host of admirers across Europe for his assured performances in the league for Leicester City, signed a long-term deal with the foxes which will keep him at the King Power Stadium until summer of 2022.
Victor Moses (€37.4m); The 27-year-old’s decision to retire from international football still comes as a shock to football loving Nigerians. But that only sets him back as far as it can as he makes the list as the third most valuable Nigerian in world football at the moment.
Obi Mikel(€22.1m); Mikel Obi is second earner on the list of highest paid Nigerian footballers with a weekly salary of £100,000 at his current club, Middlesbrough. He has a market worth in the region of $3.99 million as of 2019. He adds tremendous value to his bank balance through endorsing brands like Pepsi, Samsung, and several other sports brands.
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Ahmed Musa(€18m); Ahmed Musa is paid £38,000 weekly as his salary as a forward and left winger for Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr and the Nigeria national team. His net worth is estimated at about $6.82 million. His current market value is $18 million, keeping him in the conversation as the most valuable Nigerian player at the moment.
