Samuel Chukwueze was a teenager when he lifted his first world title. At the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, the Golden Eaglets beat Mali in the final, and the quick, left-footed winger from Umuahia was one of their brightest talents. Six years later, he won a major European trophy with Villarreal. His journey from Nigeria’s youth teams to Serie A has made him one of the Super Eagles’ most exciting attackers.
Early life and the U-17 World Cup
Chukwueze was born in 1999 in Umuahia, Abia State. He developed at the Diamond Football Academy in Nigeria. He starred as Nigeria won the 2015 U-17 World Cup, the country’s fifth title at that level. He joined Villarreal in Spain in 2017 and quickly broke into the first team. His dribbling and speed on the right wing made him a fan favourite.
Villarreal won the 2021 Europa League, beating Manchester United on penalties in the final in Gdańsk. It was the club’s first major European trophy.
Milan, the Super Eagles and injuries
He was part of the Villarreal team that reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2022. In 2023, he joined AC Milan, one of Europe’s most famous clubs. Chukwueze has played for Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, including the 2023 tournament in Côte d’Ivoire, where Nigeria reached the final. He is a left-footed winger who often plays on the right, cutting inside to shoot or pass.
Injuries have interrupted some of his seasons, but he has always returned. He often speaks about his faith and his family’s support. Young players in Nigeria see his path from academy to Europe as a model.
The Golden Eaglets and Gdańsk
Several of his 2015 teammates also went on to professional careers in Europe. The 2021 Europa League final against Manchester United ended 1-1 and went to one of the longest penalty shootouts in a European final, with Villarreal winning 11-10. Chukwueze had been part of the squad throughout the run, and the victory remains the high point of the club’s history.
Chukwueze won a world title before most players his age had left school. Since then, he has added a European trophy and a place in one of football’s most famous dressing rooms.
