Samuel Chimerenka Chukwueze was born on the 22nd of May 1999. The young talent is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays for the Spanish club Villarreal and the Nigeria national team as a winger. As a matter of fact, he is one of the players who was tipped to be the next jay-jay Okocha of the super eagles because of his explosiveness, quick feet, eye for goal and pinpoint passes, has worked hard and diligently to earn himself such plaudits.
Club career
Chukwueze who was born in Amaokwe Ugba Ibeku, Umuahia, Abia State, joined Villarreal CF’s prolific youth setup in 2017, from local side Diamond Football Academy. After a year, Samuel was being initially assigned to the club’s Juvenil A squad, he made his senior debut with the reserves on 15 April 2018, coming on as a second-half substitute for Sergio Lozano in a 1–1 Segunda División B away draw against CE Sabadell FC.
According to his career statistics, Samuel Chukwueze scored his first senior goal on 20 May 2018, netting his team’s second in a 3–1 away defeat of Bilbao Athletic. The young talent made a contribution of just two goals in 11 appearances during his first season, as his side missed out on promotion in the play-offs.
As per a BBC report, Samuel Chimerenka made his first-team debut on 20 September 2018, replacing Nicola Sansone in a 2–2 home draw against Rangers, for the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League. Still, in the same season, he also made his league debut on 5 November 2018, playing a 90-minute full play in a 1–1 home draw against Levante, for the 2018–19 La Liga.
In April 2019, he won the Nigeria Football Federation’s 2018 Young Player of the Year award.
In the second leg of the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League quarter-final away to Bayern Munich, Chukwueze scored the equaliser for 1–1 in the 88th minute, helping his team Villarreal progress to the semi-finals of the tournament on the 12th of April 2022.
International career
After Samuel Chimerenka Chukwueze played for Nigeria at under-17 level, he received his first call-up to the senior team in October 2018. The young star also made his debut for the Nigerian senior team on 20 November 2018 as a starter in a 0–0 friendly draw against Uganda.
Again, Samuel Chukwueze in May 2019, was invited to represent Nigeria’s senior team at the Africa Cup of Nations and the Under-20 team at the Under-20 World Cup. However, the La Liga outlet, Villarreal said he could only play in one of the tournaments. The 23-year old ultimately decided to take part with Nigeria’s senior squad for the Africa Cup of Nations hosted in Egypt and scored his first senior goal in Nigeria’s 2–1 win over South Africa in the quarter finals.
Early life and education
As earlier mentioned, Samuel Chukwueze was born in Umuahia, Abia state. According to BBC research on the player, he is of Igbo descent and was brought up in a Christian family with a younger brother and a younger sister. Samuel Chimerenka Chukwueze attended Government College Umuahia and Evangel Secondary School. The report has it that he started playing football at the age of 8 and he admired Jay-Jay Okocha as his football idol growing up. He has been mentored by Hon. Victor Apugo whom he saw as a father, as stated in his earlier interview.
Samuel Chukwueze Net Worth
As per the Forbes update, it has been made clear that Samuel Chukwuze’s net worth is estimated at $8 million.
Samuel Chukwueze’ Salary
The Nigerian international is currently earning £15,000 weekly and £780,000 annually, enough to take care of his needs.
Another important thing about the young star is that he is not known for his extravagant lifestyle but still there is little information about his properties.
Looking at his Carriage, he has been seen in exotic cars such as Mazda MX-5 Miata which are valued between $25000 and $3000 respectively. Also before Villarreal CF’s match against Real Sociedad, he had purchased a Mercedes Benz CLA 250 4Matic.
Samue Chukwueze Endorsement
The sensational performances of Samuel Chukwueze for both his club and his national team have attracted one of the biggest sports agency called Roc Nation Sports Agency which is known for managing the careers of athletes both on and off the field through endorsement deals, brand strategy, media relations etc.
According to an ESPN report, football stars like Jerome Boateng, Romelu Lukaku, and Eric Baily are all signed to the agency and Samuel Chukwueze is indeed very fortunate to sign such a life-changing endorsement deal with the agency.
Honours and Awards
FIFA U-17 World Cup Gold Medalist (2015)
FIFA U-17 World Cup: Bronze Boot (2015)
D4 A: Most Influential Player of the year (2016)
MCL Cup: Most Valuable Player (2016)
Nigeria Football Federation’s 2018 Young Player of the Year award (2019)
African Cup of Nations Bronze Medalist (2019)