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Top European stars who could have played for Nigeria – Alaba, Ross Barkley, Musiala & Others

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By Balogun Kamilu Lekan

1. David Alaba

Photo: Perform Group

Alaba is the captain of the Austrian side and would have been the most decorated player to ever play for the Super Eagles if he had opted for the side.

Still winning more trophies with Real Madrid, his stint with his former club, Bayern Munich, was also impeccably successful.

Alaba was born in Vienna, Austria, to a Nigerian father and a Filipino mother. 

The star could not play for Nigeria because he wasn’t ready to drop his Austrian citizenship for Nigeria.

2. Tammy Abraham

Photo: SI

Kevin Oghenetega Tamaraebi Bakumo-Abraham famously known as Tammy Abraham, is born to a Nigerian father in England.

The forward has had quite some opportunity to prove his dexterity in several caps with the three lions of England.

He hasn’t become an integral part of the side, but Nigeria is out of the question for Tammy

3. Arnaut Danjuma

Born in Nigeria to a Nigerian mother and a Dutch father. Danjuma was raised mainly in the Netherlands,

Hopes were high that he would represent his mother’s side until he was handed a late call-up to the Dutch senior side by Louis Van Gaal for their 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Gibraltar.

The dynamic attacker is now ready to enjoy his prime years with the Netherlands national team now that he has earned six caps, so playing for Nigeria is no longer an option.

The forward is also an essential element in the current Villareal side

4. Jamal Musiala

Musiala, who has a British-Nigerian father and a German mother, was born in Stuggart, Germany, but moved to England when he was seven years old, making him eligible to play for any of the three nations.

The teenage prodigy opted for the German side and is also an integral element in the current Bundesliga side, Bayern Munich

5. Bukayo Saka

Saka was born and raised by Nigerian parents in west London. He represented England at different ages, before finally opting to represent the side’s senior team.

This didn’t go without him being wooed into the Nigerian side.

The star is an integral part of the current arsenal team and a great piece at the English national side too. He’s one of the stars to look out for at the 2022 world cup in Qatar.

6. Noah Okafor

Okafor, was born in Binningen, Switzerland, to a Swiss mother and a Nigerian father.

He opted to represent the swiss side as he is one of their centre-forward at the senior level.

Okafor also plays as a centre-forward with Red Bull Salzburg, Okafor and has won three championships with the side.

7. Karim Adeyemi

Karim Adeyemi was born on January 18, 2002, in München to a Nigerian father.

Nigeria is out of the page for the football star as he has had a number of caps for his chosen nationality, Germany.

8. Manuel Akanji

Photo: Minute Media

Akanji was born in Neftenbach, Switzerland to a Swiss mother and a Nigerian father.

The star recently signed with Manchester City and has been integral to heart of the team’s defence.

The centre-back, who chose to play for Switzerland rather than the Eagles, is getting close to 50 appearances for his chosen nationality.

9. Ross Barkley

He was born in Liverpool to a Nigerian father and a British mother. 

Ross opted for the Three Lions as he has represented the team at the under-16, under-17, under-19, under-20, under-21 and senior levels. Nigeria is no longer an option.

10. Dele Alli

Alli was born in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, to a Yoruba Nigerian father and an English mother. Making him eligible to represent either side, but he opted for England.

Still only 26, Alli will watch the World Cup from home after suffering a startling fall from grace in recent years.

He played a significant role in the England team that advanced to the semifinals in Russia four years ago, but he completely lost his way at Tottenham Hotspur and is no longer a member of the Three Lions group.

His stint with Merseyside side, Everton is also not impressive.


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