Subscribe: Gist E-Paper
Michael Kayode has become the latest high-profile player of Nigerian descent to represent another country after scoring on his senior international debut for Italy.
The Brentford right-back scored in the 27th minute as Italy defeated Türkiye 4-1 in the Nations League, adding his name to a group that includes Bukayo Saka, Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise, David Alaba, Manuel Akanji and Eberechi Eze.
Nigeria had explored the possibility of securing Kayode’s services, with the Nigeria Football Federation arranging contact with the player after coach Eric Chelle approved the move.
Kayode, however, opted to continue with Italy, having progressed through the country’s youth system. He represented Italy at Under-18, Under-19 and Under-21 levels before receiving his senior call-up.
The 22-year-old previously said he would give priority to Italy. Brentford signed him from Fiorentina for €17.5 million, with his contract running until 2030.
Bukayo Saka
Nigeria also expressed interest in Bukayo Saka, with former NFF president Amaju Pinnick publicly stating in 2020 that he hoped the Arsenal winger would play for the Super Eagles.
Saka, born in London to Yoruba parents, acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but ultimately chose England after receiving his first senior invitation in October 2020.
He has since established himself as a key England player while occasionally showing support for Nigeria and the Super Eagles on social media.
Saka signed a new five-year contract with Arsenal in February 2026. He was also part of the Arsenal side that won the 2025/26 Premier League title and scored a hat-trick in England’s 6-4 World Cup victory over France in the third-place match.
Jamal Musiala
Jamal Musiala was another player Nigeria attempted to attract. Former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr approached the teenager in 2020, but Musiala eventually chose Germany.
Born in Stuttgart to a British-Nigerian father and German mother, Musiala had the option of representing three countries but settled on Germany.
His recent career was disrupted by a leg injury suffered at the 2025 Club World Cup, but he returned in January 2026 and made 24 appearances for Bayern Munich during the 2025/26 season.
He helped Bayern win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal before featuring four times for Germany at the World Cup.
Michael Olise
Michael Olise also had several international options, including Nigeria, England, Algeria and France.
Born in London to a Nigerian father and Franco-Algerian mother, Olise eventually chose France and made his senior debut in September 2024.
The Bayern Munich winger enjoyed a productive 2025/26 campaign, recording 22 goals and 31 assists.
At the World Cup, Olise provided seven assists, the most by a player at a single edition of the tournament, while France finished fourth.
David Alaba
David Alaba’s situation differs from the others because Nigeria did not make a formal approach for the defender.
Alaba, born in Vienna to a Yoruba father from Ogun State and a Filipino mother, said in 2013 that he wanted to represent Nigeria but claimed no formal invitation came from the country.
He instead built his international career with Austria and captained the side at the 2026 World Cup.
At club level, Alaba left Real Madrid after five seasons before joining Udinese on a contract running until June 2027.
Manuel Akanji
Manuel Akanji has also represented Switzerland throughout his international career.
The defender, whose father is Yoruba and mother Swiss, said in 2018 that Nigeria never contacted him while Switzerland had shown interest.
Akanji has since become an established member of the Swiss national team and currently plays for Inter Milan after leaving Manchester City on loan.
Switzerland reached the World Cup quarter-finals before losing to Argentina.
Eberechi Eze
Eberechi Eze came particularly close to representing Nigeria, having attended a Nigerian youth team camp before committing his international future to England.
Born in London to Igbo parents, Eze received his first England senior cap in June 2023.
At club level, Arsenal signed him from Crystal Palace in August 2025 in a deal worth up to £68 million.
Eze had scored the winning goal for Crystal Palace in their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City earlier that year and was later part of England’s World Cup squad that finished third.
The careers of the players highlight the international options available to footballers with Nigerian heritage, with several having been approached or linked with the Super Eagles before choosing to represent other countries.
