Football is one of the most popular sports in Nigeria, and it has produced some of the country’s wealthiest athletes.
Nigerian footballers have not only achieved success on the pitch. Still, they have also managed to make a fortune from their passion.
The top 10 richest Nigerian footballers are John Mikel Obi, Obafemi Martins, and Victor Moses, amongst others. Let’s check them out individually.
Top 10 Richest Nigeria Footballers
1. John Mikel Obi – Money Mikel
John Mikel Obi is one of the most successful Nigerian footballers of all time, having won numerous titles with his former club, Chelsea, and the Nigerian national team.
He is currently playing for Stoke City in the English Championship. Mikel Obi’s net worth is estimated to be around $60 million, making him the richest Nigerian footballer.
They call him “Money Mikel,” and he can afford to buy an entire team with his wealth.
Rumor has it that he is so rich that he built a wall around his mansion just to keep his money safe.
Did you know that Mikel once mistook a piece of bubble gum for medicine and swallowed it during a match?
Thankfully, he wasn’t harmed, and he even managed to score the winning goal.
2. Obafemi Martins – Oba Goal
Obafemi Martins is a former Nigerian national team striker who has played for top clubs like Inter Milan, Newcastle United, and Seattle Sounders.
He is currently playing for Wuhan Zall in the Chinese Super League. Martins’s net worth of $35 million makes him the second-richest Nigerian footballer.
His nickname, “Oba Goal,” speaks for itself; he scored so many goals he must have his own kingdom of goals.
He is known for his love for luxury and flashy cars. He once bought a Lamborghini for his dog.
Did you know that Martins once bought a house for his pet monkey?
Yes, you read that right.
He splurged on a luxury home for his furry friend, fully furnished with air conditioning and a plasma TV.
Talk about living the high life!
3. Victor Moses – The Boy Who Turned Moses
Victor Moses is a retired Nigerian winger who played for top clubs like Chelsea, Liverpool, and Wigan Athletic.
He was also a key player in Nigeria’s 2013 African Cup of Nations-winning squad.
Moses has a net worth of $20 million, making him the third-richest Nigerian footballer.
He earned his nickname, “The Boy Who Turned Moses,” from his ability to change direction and leave defenders in his wake.
He’s a true superstar on and off the pitch. He once made an appearance in the Nigerian movie industry Nollywood and starred in a movie titled “The Game Changer.”
Did you know Moses once stole his parents’ phone to play football games?
As a child, he was obsessed with football and would do anything to get his fix, even if it meant stealing his parents’ phone and racking up a huge bill.
4. Ahmed Musa – The Flash
Ahmed Musa is a Nigerian winger who has played for clubs like CSKA Moscow, Leicester City, and Al-Nassr. He is also a key player in the Nigerian national team.
Musa’s net worth of $18 million makes him the fourth-richest Nigerian footballer.
They call him “The Flash” because of his lightning-quick speed, which makes him almost impossible to catch on the pitch.
He is known for his philanthropic acts and has donated millions of naira to support charitable causes in Nigeria.
Musa once scored two goals against Argentina in a World Cup match.
This feat made him a hero in Nigeria, and he even received a presidential welcome upon his return.
He’s a true champion on and off the pitch.
5. Emmanuel Emenike – The Lion
Emmanuel Emenike is a retired Nigerian striker who played for clubs like Fenerbahce, Spartak Moscow, and West Ham United.
He was also a key player in Nigeria’s 2013 African Cup of Nations-winning squad. Emenike’s net worth of $16 million makes him the fifth-richest Nigerian footballer.
His nickname, “The Lion,” comes from his fierce playing style and his ability to roar with every goal he scores.
He is not just a footballer but also a successful businessman.
He owns a petrol station, a sports betting company, and a real estate business.
Did you know that Emenike once paid for his entire village’s electricity bill?
He was so grateful for the support he received from his community that he decided to give back in a big way.
6. Kelechi Iheanacho – The Future
Kelechi Iheanacho is a Nigerian striker who currently plays for Leicester City in the English Premier League.
He is also a key player in the Nigerian national team. Iheanacho has a net worth of $14 million, making him the sixth-richest Nigerian footballer.
They call him “The Future” because, at just 24 years old, he has the potential to become one of the greatest Nigerian footballers of all time.
He’s known for his humorous personality and love for practical jokes.
He once pranked his Leicester City teammate, Wilfred Ndidi, by pretending to be a waiter during a team dinner.
Talk about keeping the team spirit high!
Did you know that Iheanacho once scored a hat-trick against Aston Villa in a single game?
This impressive feat earned him the nickname “Senior man,” -even though he’s a young man and has been a key player for both Leicester City and the Nigerian national team.
7. Alex Iwobi – Big 17
Alex Iwobi is a Nigerian winger who currently plays for Everton in the English Premier League.
He is also a key player in the Nigerian national team. Iwobi’s net worth of $12 million makes him the seventh-richest Nigerian footballer.
They call him “Big 17” because of his height and his jersey number.
But did you know that Iwobi is the nephew of Nigerian football legend Jay-Jay Okocha? Football runs in the family, and Iwobi has made a name for himself on the pitch.
8. Ogenyi Onazi – The Bulldozer
Ogenyi Onazi is a Nigerian midfielder who has played for clubs like Lazio, Trabzonspor, and Denizlispor.
He is also a key player in the Nigerian national team. Onazi’s net worth of $10 million makes him the eighth-richest Nigerian footballer.
Onazi’s wealth has earned him the nickname “The Bulldozer,” referring to his physical strength and ability to bulldoze through opposing defenses.
Onazi has been known to leave opposing players in a heap on the ground after a fierce tackle.
9. Vincent Enyeama – The Cat
Vincent Enyeama is a retired Nigerian goalkeeper who played for top clubs like Hapoel Tel Aviv and Lille.
He was also a key player in the Nigerian national team. Enyeama has a net worth of $8 million, making him the ninth-richest Nigerian footballer.
Enyeama was known for his cat-like reflexes and his ability to make impossible saves.
Enyeama once said that his secret to success was eating a lot of pounded yam, a popular Nigerian dish made in Nigeria.
10. Odion Ighalo – Baller
Odion Ighalo is a retired Nigerian striker who played for top clubs like Watford, Shanghai Greenland Shenhua, and Manchester United.
He was also a key player in the Nigerian national team. Ighalo has a net worth of $6 million, making him the tenth-richest Nigerian footballer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the richest Nigerian footballer?
The richest Nigerian footballer is John Mikel Obi, with a net worth of around $60 million.
Who is the youngest Nigerian footballer on the list?
Kelechi Iheanacho is the youngest Nigerian footballer on the list, born on October 3, 1996. He is currently 26 years old and has a net worth of $14 million.
Which Nigerian footballer has won the most trophies?
John Mikel Obi has won the most trophies among the Nigerian footballers on the list. He has won the Premier League twice, the UEFA Champions League, the Europa League, the FA Cup, the League Cup, and the African Cup of Nations.
Who is the Nigerian footballer with the highest transfer fee?
The Nigerian footballer with the highest transfer fee is Obafemi Martins. He was sold by Inter Milan to Newcastle United in 2006 for a fee of €16 million ($19 million).
How do Nigerian footballers compare to other African footballers in terms of wealth?
Nigerian footballers are among the richest in Africa, alongside footballers from other countries like Egypt and Ivory Coast.
However, they are less wealthy than some top footballers from Europe and South America, with significantly higher net worths.
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Conclusion
Football is the most popular sport in Nigeria, and Nigerian footballers have made a name for themselves both domestically and internationally.
Nigerian footballers have not only made a fortune from their passion, but they have also become some of the wealthiest athletes in Nigeria.
This list of the top 10 richest Nigerian footballers will show you everything you need to know.