Samuel Chimerenka Chukwueze (born 22 May 1999) is a talented Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a winger for a Spanish club, Villarreal, and the Nigeria national team, Super Eagles
Early Life & Education
Chukwueze was born on the 22nd of May, 1999, in Abia State, which falls in the southeastern part of Nigeria. He had his secondary school education at Government College Umuahia and Evangel Secondary School.
Career
Professional Career
In 2017, Chukwueze transferred from the neighborhood Diamond Football Academy to the Villarreal CF youth team. Initially assigned to the club’s Juvenil A squad, he made his senior debut with the reserves on April 15, 2018, when he came on to replace Sergio Lozano in the second half of a 1-1 Segunda División B road draw against CE Sabadell FC.
In a 3-1 away victory over Bilbao Athletic on May 20, 2018, Chukwueze scored his first goal as a senior, putting his club up 2-0. He scored twice in 11 games during his first campaign, but his team was unable to reach the postseason.
On September 20, 2018, Chukwueze replaced Nicola Sansone in the starting lineup for the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League during a 2-2 home draw against Rangers. He also made his La Liga debut on November 5, 2018, playing the full 90 minutes of his team’s home match against Levante to draw 1-1.
In April 2019, he got the Nigeria Football Federation’s Young Player of the Year award for 2018. On April 12, 2022, in the second leg of the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal away at Bayern Munich, Chukwueze scored the equalizer for 1–1, sending Villarreal on to the competition’s semifinals.
International Career
After playing for Nigeria at the under-17 level, he was first called up to the senior team in October 2018. In a scoreless friendly match with Uganda on November 20, 2018, he made his senior national team debut for Nigeria.
In May 2019, Nigeria’s senior team at the Africa Cup of Nations and the under-20 team at the Under-20 World Cup both extended invites to Samuel Chukwueze to participate. He took part in the Africa Cup of Nations, which was hosted in Egypt. In Nigeria’s 2-1 quarterfinal victory over South Africa, he scored his first goal as a senior.
Honors
Villarreal
- 2020–21: UEFA Europa League
Nigeria U17
- 2015: FIFA U-17 World Cup
Individual
- 2016: MCL Cup Most Valuable Player
- 2016: DFA Most Influential Player of the Year
- 2015: FIFA U-17 World Cup: Bronze Boot
Net Worth
According to different sources online, Samuel Chukwueze’s net worth is estimated at around $5 million. He accumulated his wealth from his football career.
