Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze has made a significant mark in Nigerian football history by becoming the first Nigerian player to win major trophies in both Spain and Italy.
Samuel Chukwueze achieved this after AC Milan’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Inter Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana on Monday night in Saudi Arabia.
Although Chukwueze was sidelined due to a hamstring injury sustained during Milan’s 1-1 draw against Roma earlier this month, his registration for the match allowed him to join an exclusive group of Nigerians who have lifted this prestigious trophy, commonly referred to as the ‘Italian Super Cup.’
Chukwueze’s latest success adds to his 2021 UEFA Europa League victory with Villarreal, where he played an essential role in their European campaign, finishing as the tournament’s top assist provider. This accomplishment contributed to Villarreal securing their first major trophy in the club’s 98-year history.
His unique achievement highlights a milestone for Nigerian footballers in European competitions, surpassing the illustrious careers of several renowned Nigerian players who, despite their successes, never achieved major trophies in both Spain and Italy.
Chukwueze’s journey to this success has been remarkable, beginning at Diamond Academy in Umuahia before moving to Villarreal in 2017. His development in Spain allowed him to emerge as one of Europe’s most promising wingers, paving the way for his €20 million transfer to AC Milan.
His recent injury, which was confirmed by an MRI to be a lesion of the left femoral biceps, is a huge setback in his effort to establish himself at the club.
However, this setback does not diminish his accomplishments. He now joins the ranks of elite Nigerian players who have achieved success in Italian football, following in the footsteps of notable figures like Obafemi Martins, Joel Obi, and Obinna Nsofor, each of whom celebrated Supercoppa victories with Inter Milan.