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Samuel Chukwueze
Samuel Chukwueze
Samuel Chukwueze
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Samuel Chimerenka Chukwueze MON (pronunciationⓘ; born 22 May 1999) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a right winger for Premier League club Fulham, on loan from Serie A club AC Milan, and the Nigeria national team.[2][3]

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Chukwueze was born in Amaokwe Ugba Ibeku, Abia State.[4] He is of Igbo descent and was brought up in a Christian family with a younger brother and a younger sister. He attended Government College Umuahia and Evangel Secondary School. He started playing football at the age of 8 and he admired Jay-Jay Okocha and Arjen Robben as his football idols growing up.[5][6][7]

Club career

[edit]

Villarreal

[edit]

Chukwueze joined Villarreal's prolific youth setup in 2017, from local side Diamond Football Academy.[8] After 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 Sabadell.

Chukwueze scored his first senior goal on 20 May 2018, netting his team's second in a 3–2 away defeat against Bilbao Athletic. He contributed with two goals in 11 appearances during his first season, as his side missed out promotion in the play-offs.

Chukwueze made his first-team debut on 21 September 2018, replacing Nicola Sansone in a 2–2 home draw against Rangers, for the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League.[9] He also made his Laliga 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.[10]

On 12 April 2022, in the second leg of the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League quarter-final away to Bayern Munich, Chukwueze scored the equaliser in the 88th minute, helping Villarreal progress to the semi-finals of the tournament.[11]

On 8 April 2023, Chukwueze scored a brace and recorded an assist against Real Madrid in a 3–2 away victory.[12]

AC Milan

[edit]

On 27 July 2023, Serie A club AC Milan announced the signing of Chukwueze, on a contract until 30 June 2028.[13]

On 28 November, he scored his first goal at the club in a 3–1 home defeat against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.[14]

On 13 December, Chukwueze scored a later winner in the 84th minute in a 2–1 away victory over Newcastle United, which made his club to finish third in their group and qualify to the Europa League.[15]

On 17 March, in a Serie A match against Hellas Verona, he came on as a substitute and scored the last goal in a 3–1 win, his first league goal for AC Milan.[16]

On 14 April 2024, in the league game against Sassuolo, Chukwueze scored two goals, both of which were disallowed for offsides.[17]

Loan to Fulham

[edit]

On 1 September 2025, he moved to England and joined Premier League club Fulham, on an initial one-year loan deal with the option to buy at the end of the 2025–26 season.[18][19][20]

International career

[edit]
Chukwueze (left) with Victor Apugo (centre) and Kelechi Nwakali (right) in 2015

After playing for Nigeria at under-17 level, he received his first call-up to the senior team in October 2018.[21] He made his debut for the Nigerian senior team on 20 November 2018 as a starter in a 0–0 friendly draw against Uganda.[22][23]

In May 2019, Chukwueze 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, Villarreal said he could only play in one of the tournaments.[24] He ultimately decided to take part with Nigerian's senior squad for Africa Cup of Nations hosted in Egypt[25] and scored his first senior goal in Nigeria's 2–1 win over South Africa in the quarter finals.[26]

Two years later, Chukwueze was selected to participate in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.[27] Nigeria defeated Tunisia 1–0 in the round of 16.

On 29 December 2023, he was selected from the list of 25 Nigerian players selected by José Peseiro to compete in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

On 11 December 2025, Chukwueze was called up to the Nigeria squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.[28]

Style of play

[edit]

Chukwueze's biggest strength is his pace and his runs in behind the defense. He is known for his blistering pace and his ability to use it effectively by drifting infield and peeling away. He feels really fast, especially in the attack, and is explosive. He is very mobile and has surprisingly good ball. Former Villarreal defender, Alberto Moreno had compared Chukwueze's style of play to that of former Liverpool forward, Sadio Mané, indicating that they play football in a similar way.[29]

Chukwueze has been noted to have a weak right foot, which affects his ability to make crosses and progress possession when faced with a strong 1 v 1 defender. His predictable dribbling style can also make it challenging for him to progress the ball in certain situations. Chukwueze's defensive contribution has been described as weak, and he tends to prefer playing short passes without diving into tackles.[30]

Chukwueze is known for his pace, runs in behind the defense, and explosive playing style, which has drawn comparisons to Mané.[31][32][33]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 11 February 2026[34]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Villarreal B 2017–18 Segunda División B 11 2 — — — 11 2
2018–19 9 2 — — — 9 2
Total 20 4 — — — 20 4
Villarreal 2018–19 La Liga 26 5 3 2 — 9[c] 1 38 8
2019–20 37 3 4 1 — — 41 4
2020–21 28 4 1 0 — 11[c] 1 40 5
2021–22 27 3 2 2 — 9[d] 2 38 7
2022–23 37 6 4 4 — 9[e] 3 50 13
Total 155 21 14 9 — 38 7 207 37
AC Milan 2023–24 Serie A 24 1 1 0 — 8[f] 2 33 3
2024–25 26 3 3 2 — 6[d] 0 35 5
2025–26 1 0 0 0 — — 1 0
Total 51 4 4 2 — 14 2 69 8
Fulham (loan) 2025–26 Premier League 13 3 0 0 1 0 — 14 3
Career total 239 32 18 11 1 0 52 9 310 52
  1. ^ Includes Copa del Rey, Coppa Italia
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  5. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
  6. ^ Four appearances and two goals in UEFA Champions League, four appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

[edit]
As of match played 17 January 2026[35]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Nigeria 2018 1 0
2019 12 2
2020 4 1
2021 2 0
2022 6 1
2023 5 1
2024 12 1
2025 11 1
2026 3 0
Total 56 7
Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Chukwueze goal.
List of international goals scored by Samuel Chukwueze[35]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 10 July 2019 Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt  South Africa 1–0 2–1 2019 Africa Cup of Nations
2 17 November 2019 Setsoto Stadium, Maseru, Lesotho  Lesotho 2–1 4–2 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
3 13 November 2020 Ogbe Stadium, Benin City, Nigeria  Sierra Leone 4–0 4–4 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
4 15 January 2022 Roumdé Adjia Stadium, Garoua, Cameroon  Sudan 1–0 3–1 2021 Africa Cup of Nations
5 10 September 2023 Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Nigeria  São Tomé and Príncipe 6–0 6–0 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
6 18 November 2024 Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Nigeria  Rwanda 1–0 1–2 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
7 31 May 2025 Brentford Community Stadium, London, England  Jamaica 2–1 2–2 (5–4 p 2025 Unity Cup

Honours

[edit]
Chukwueze holding the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup Bronze Boot

Villarreal

AC Milan

Nigeria U17

Nigeria

Individual

Orders

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Samuel Chukwueze

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Samuel Chukwueze (born 22 May 1999) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a right winger for club on loan from side and the national team. Born in , , Chukwueze began his youth career at the Diamond Football Academy in before joining 's youth setup in 2017 for a fee of €500,000. He made his senior debut for in September 2018 and quickly established himself as a key player, scoring 29 goals and providing 28 assists in 179 appearances over five seasons, during which he helped the club win the in 2021. In July 2023, he transferred to for a reported €21 million, where he contributed to their 2025 victory over in a 3-2 final win. In September 2025, Chukwueze joined on a season-long loan with an option to buy, aiming to revive his career in the English top flight. On the international stage, Chukwueze represented at the , where he scored three goals en route to the title and earned the Bronze Boot award. He made his senior debut for the Super Eagles in 2018 and has since amassed around 50 caps with seven goals as of November 2025, participating in three tournaments (2019, 2022, and 2024), finishing as runner-up in 2022. Known for his pace, dribbling, and left-footed creativity—often compared to —Chukwueze has been recognized as the Nigeria Football Federation's Young Player of the Year in 2018 and La Liga's African MVP for the 2022–23 season.

Early life and youth career

Early life and education

Samuel Chukwueze was born on 22 May 1999 in , , , to Igbo parents in a Christian household consisting of his parents and two siblings—a younger brother and a younger sister. Growing up in a modest facing financial challenges, Chukwueze developed an early passion for football, often playing street games in his neighborhood and drawing inspiration from watching European leagues on television, particularly idolizing Nigerian legend and Dutch winger . His family initially opposed his football ambitions, with his mother enforcing punishments such as burning his boots or making him sleep outside to prioritize studies, reflecting common concerns in Nigerian households about the uncertainties of a sports career amid economic hardships. Despite this, Chukwueze persisted, influenced by his grandfather, a local left-footed player, and eventually gained his mother's support after she interpreted a personal experience as a divine sign to allow him to pursue the sport. His uncle also urged focus on , but the family's eventual encouragement proved pivotal in his development. Chukwueze received his primary education in before attending Government College and later Evangel for secondary schooling, where he was a good student but increasingly dedicated time to football on the school's rough pitches. As his talent became evident, formal education took a backseat to sports, leading to his discovery by scouts at a local academy screening.

Youth career

Chukwueze joined CF's youth academy in August 2017 at the age of 18 for a fee of €500,000, having developed at Nigeria's Diamond Football Academy since around 2012, where he showcased his talent including at the , helping win the title and earning the Bronze Boot award with three goals. Upon moving to , he faced the challenge of adapting to a new culture and language, opting to live independently in an apartment with a teammate rather than at the academy to foster . He began his development in 's youth setup with the C team during the 2017-18 season before progressing to the more senior B squad in . Chukwueze made his debut for B on 15 April 2018 as a substitute against . Over his time with the reserve side across two seasons, he featured in 20 matches and netted four goals, including his first senior-level strike on 20 May 2018 in a 3-2 loss to Athletic.

Club career

Villarreal CF

Chukwueze joined 's youth academy from Nigeria's Diamond Football Academy in August 2017, quickly progressing through the ranks before earning promotion to the senior squad. He made his first-team debut on 20 September 2018, coming on as a substitute for Nicola Sansone in a 2–2 group stage draw against Rangers at . At 19 years old, this appearance marked the beginning of his integration into professional football, showcasing his pace and dribbling ability on the right wing. His debut followed on 4 November 2018, where he played the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 home draw against . The 2018–19 season proved to be Chukwueze's breakthrough campaign, as he established himself as a regular in Villarreal's lineup under manager Javi Calleja. He made 26 appearances, starting 12, and contributed 5 goals alongside 2 assists, helping the team avoid relegation with a 17th-place finish. His first goal came on 10 November 2018, a curling left-footed strike from outside the box in a 3–0 away win over , earning him praise for his technical skill and confidence. Further goals against and highlighted his growing influence, with his direct runs and ability to beat defenders one-on-one becoming hallmarks of Villarreal's attacking play. Including cup competitions, he scored 8 goals across all fronts that season, signaling his emergence as one of 's promising young talents. In the 2019–20 season, Chukwueze continued to develop, featuring in 37 matches and scoring 3 goals as secured a fifth-place finish and qualification. The following year, 2020–21, saw him play a pivotal role in 's memorable triumph under . Chukwueze appeared in 11 matches, providing 4 assists and scoring a crucial in the quarter-final second leg against Ajax on 15 April 2021—a composed finish that gave a 2–1 aggregate lead before advancing on penalties. His energetic performances on the flanks were instrumental in the run to the final, where defeated United 11–10 on penalties after a 1–1 draw on 26 May 2021, securing the club's first major European title. In that season, he made 28 appearances with 4 goals. Chukwueze's form remained consistent in subsequent seasons, contributing to Villarreal's qualification for the in 2021–22 and maintaining mid-table stability. Over his entire tenure from 2018 to his departure in 2023, he amassed 207 appearances and 37 goals across all competitions, becoming one of the club's most productive graduates. His versatility as a left-footed right winger, combining speed, , and threat, made him a fan favorite and key asset before his transfer to .

AC Milan

On 28 July 2023, Samuel Chukwueze transferred from to for a reported fee of €28 million, signing a five-year contract until June 2028. The move marked his transition to , where his prior experience with Villarreal was expected to aid adaptation to the Italian league's tactical demands. During the 2023–24 season under manager , Chukwueze made 34 appearances across all s, scoring 2 goals and providing 3 assists, including 24 outings with 1 league goal and 3 assists. His integration was hampered by recurring injuries that sidelined him for several weeks, as well as competition for starting positions on the right wing amid Milan's squad depth. These factors contributed to inconsistent playing time, with Chukwueze often deployed as a substitute despite flashes of his dribbling prowess and pace. In the 2024–25 season, following Paulo Fonseca's appointment as , Chukwueze showed improved form, featuring in 36 matches across all competitions with 5 goals and 4 assists, including 26 appearances yielding 3 goals and 2 assists. His contributions helped secure the 2025 with a 3–2 victory over in January 2025, as well as qualification for the , highlighted by his involvement in the attacking play leading to Matteo Gabbia's winning goal in a 2–1 derby victory over on 22 September 2024. However, persistent issues and pubic limited his availability, causing him to miss multiple fixtures in early 2025. Over his two seasons at AC Milan, Chukwueze accumulated 70 appearances, 8 goals, and 6 assists across all competitions, often challenged by tactical shifts between Pioli's and Fonseca's systems that favored varying wing play styles and led to irregular starts. Despite these hurdles, he demonstrated versatility as a right winger, contributing to Milan's European pushes. Chukwueze departed AC Milan in the summer of 2025 on a season-long loan to Fulham FC, with an option to buy for €25 million, primarily due to limited starting opportunities and the club's desire to recoup value from the investment.

Fulham FC

On 1 September 2025, Samuel Chukwueze joined on a season-long loan from , with an option to make the move permanent for a potential fee of up to €25 million, primarily to secure more regular playing time after limited opportunities at his previous club. His market value at the time of the transfer was estimated at €10 million. Chukwueze made his Fulham debut as a substitute in the EFL Cup against Cambridge United on 23 September 2025, playing 30 minutes in a 1-0 victory. In the Premier League, he recorded his first contribution on 3 October 2025, coming off the bench against Bournemouth and providing an assist to Ryan Sessegnon for the opening goal in a 3-1 defeat, just three minutes after entering the match. In October 2025, following an international break, Chukwueze suffered a calf injury that sidelined him for several weeks, causing him to miss key matches. He returned as a late substitute in the 77th minute during Fulham's 3-0 Premier League win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on 1 November 2025, where he created chances but missed two scoring opportunities in limited time on the pitch. He made another substitute appearance on 8 November 2025 in a 2-0 defeat to Everton, playing the final 31 minutes without a goal or assist. As of 18 November 2025, across four substitute appearances in the Premier League, he had logged approximately 76 minutes, one assist, no goals, and an average rating of 6.53. Chukwueze has begun integrating into Fulham's attacking setup, linking up with fellow Nigerian international Alex Iwobi on the flanks to add pace and directness to the team's wide play.

International career

Youth international career

Chukwueze earned his first call-up to the Nigeria U-17 team for the in , where he emerged as a key figure in the tournament. He made 7 appearances and scored 3 goals, while also providing 3 assists, earning the Bronze Boot award as the third-highest goalscorer. His contributions, including dynamic wing play and direct involvement in attacks, were pivotal to 's successful run, as they defeated 2–0 in the final to secure their fifth U-17 title. Following his standout performances at the U-17 level, Chukwueze transitioned to the U-20 team, making his debut during the 2018 qualifiers for the African U-20 Cup of Nations. He netted 3 goals across the qualification matches, helping advance to the 2019 tournament in . Despite the success in qualifiers, Chukwueze faced a selection in May 2019 when invited to both the U-20 squad for the in and the senior team for the ; he ultimately prioritized the senior opportunity. Chukwueze also featured for the U-23 team, debuting in March 2019 during preparations and qualifiers for major competitions. He participated in the 2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations in , appearing in 4 games and scoring 2 goals, which aided Nigeria's finish in the tournament. Over his youth international tenure across the U-17, U-20, and U-23 levels, Chukwueze accumulated approximately 20 appearances and 8 goals, showcasing his rapid development before his senior breakthrough.

Senior international career

Chukwueze made his senior international debut for on 20 November 2018, starting in a 0–0 friendly draw against at age 19. He scored his first goal for the Super Eagles on 10 July 2019 in the quarter-final against , opening the scoring in a 2–1 victory that advanced to the semi-finals. During the 2019 tournament in , he featured in four matches and contributed that lone goal, helping secure third place overall. In the , Chukwueze started several group stage games, including scoring the opener in a 3–1 win over on 15 January 2022, though Nigeria exited in the round of 16 after a loss to . Across both editions, he made six appearances and scored one goal. In the (held in 2024), Chukwueze featured in five matches without scoring, as Nigeria finished as runners-up after losing 2–1 to in the final. Across the three tournaments, he made 16 appearances and scored two goals. During the qualifiers, Chukwueze netted two goals across eight outings but missed the finals in due to injury. During the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Chukwueze contributed goals, including one in a 2–1 away win over on 10 October 2025 and two in a 3–0 win over on 14 October 2025. Nigeria advanced to the CAF playoffs, where he featured in the 4–1 semi-final victory over on 13 November 2025, but they were eliminated in the final against DR Congo on 16 November 2025 after a 1–1 draw and 3–4 loss, failing to qualify for the tournament. As of 18 November 2025, Chukwueze has accumulated 52 caps for with nine goals.

Personal life and playing style

Personal life

Chukwueze maintains close ties to his , rooted in his upbringing in , , . His father, Reverend John Nkasiobi Chukwueze, and mother, a trader who initially discouraged his football ambitions by burning his boots, have been influential figures in his life. He shares the with a and sister, and in June 2025, he gifted his father a luxurious ₦465 million mansion in Bende, , as a gesture of gratitude and redemption for past challenges. Raised in a Christian , Chukwueze openly expresses his , frequently sharing messages of spirituality on . With over 2 million followers on as of 2025, he posts about and worship, including moments like praying before his debut for in September 2025 and joining teammates in singing worship songs. In , Chukwueze established the Samuel Chukwueze Foundation in 2020 to support , particularly in and in his hometown of . The foundation has partnered with local organizations for outreach programs, and in June 2025, he donated 20 tricycles, cash awards, and scholarships to underprivileged youths and students in to promote economic independence and access to schooling. For his contributions to Nigerian sports, he was conferred the Member of the (MON) honor. Chukwueze keeps his personal relationships private, rarely discussing them publicly. He has alluded to a long-term partner in interviews, including a rumored connection to influencer Amara Ikeme, spotted together on occasions like 2024 in , but as of 2025, he has no children.

Playing style

Samuel Chukwueze primarily operates as a right winger, employing a direct one-versus-one style characterized by his explosive pace and ability to challenge defenders individually. His recorded top speed reached 34.58 km/h in the season. With a success rate of approximately 56.5% in the 2024/25 season, Chukwueze excels in close control and progressive carries, averaging 2.5 successful take-ons per 90 minutes. Among his key strengths, Chukwueze demonstrates explosive acceleration that allows him to exploit spaces on the flank, complemented by strong key passing and through-ball delivery in the attacking third. As a left-footed player, he frequently cuts inside to shoot or create, though his predominantly left-footed nature limits right-footed usage, focusing his threat on inward movements. His passing accuracy stands at 76.6% overall, rising to effective rates in progressive and final-third distributions, where he contributed around 4 progressive passes per 90 minutes in from 2023 to 2025. Crossing remains a relative weakness, with lower completion rates hovering around 20%, often prioritizing over wide delivery. Defensively, Chukwueze's contributions are limited, with a duels won rate of about 25%, reflecting challenges in tracking back and engaging opponents. At 1.72 meters tall, he struggles in aerial duels, winning fewer than expected despite occasional successes at 57% in select metrics, which impacts his effectiveness in set-piece defense. Occasional lapses in decision-making under pressure can lead to turnovers, as he sometimes attempts overly ambitious plays in congested areas. Chukwueze's low center of gravity and flair have drawn comparisons to , particularly in his dribbling sequences and ability to navigate tight spaces with quick changes of direction. Since joining , his style has evolved from a raw, individualistic talent to a more disciplined contributor, adapting to Serie A's tactical demands under coaches who emphasize positional balance. In his early 2025/26 appearances for , he has continued to showcase his dribbling threat in limited minutes.

Career statistics

Club

Samuel Chukwueze has made 282 appearances in his senior club career across all competitions, scoring 45 goals and providing 36 assists as of November 18, 2025. His club statistics break down as follows: 207 appearances, 37 goals, and 29 assists with Villarreal CF from 2017 to 2023; 70 appearances, 8 goals, and 6 assists with AC Milan from 2023 to 2025; and 5 appearances, 0 goals, and 1 assist with Fulham FC in the 2025–26 season. Youth appearances with Villarreal CF B total 20 matches, 4 goals, and 2 assists, which are minimal in comparison to his senior output. Chukwueze's goal-scoring peaked at 12 goals in the 2022–23 season with Villarreal across La Liga, Copa del Rey, UEFA Europa Conference League, and qualifiers, while his assist totals reached 10 in the same campaign. In the 2024–25 season with AC Milan, he contributed 3 assists in Serie A alongside appearances in the Coppa Italia and UEFA Champions League. Discipline-wise, Chukwueze has accumulated 16 yellow cards with no red cards throughout his club career.
SeasonClubAppearances (All Comps)GoalsAssists
2017–18Villarreal B500
2018–19Villarreal / Villarreal B4463
2019–203734
2020–213957
2021–223653
2022–23481210
2023–243333
2024–253653
2025–26 / Fulham601
The table above aggregates statistics across domestic leagues (, , ), cups (, , ), and European competitions (, Champions League, Europa Conference League) per season.

International

Samuel Chukwueze has represented at the youth and senior international levels, accumulating significant appearances and contributions across various competitions. As of November 18, 2025, he has earned 49 caps for the senior national team, scoring 7 goals. His senior international debut came in 2018, and his first goal arrived on July 10, 2019, during the quarter-final against . The most recent goal was scored in a friendly match against on May 31, 2025. At the youth level, Chukwueze featured for the Nigeria U17 team at the , where he played 7 matches and scored 3 goals, contributing to 's tournament victory and earning the Bronze Boot award. No verified appearances were recorded for the U20 or U23 teams, resulting in total youth caps of 7 and goals of 3. Chukwueze's senior appearances include key tournaments such as the (6 appearances, 1 goal; Nigeria finished third) and the (6 appearances, 0 goals; Nigeria finished as runners-up). In qualifiers, he has made 8 appearances without scoring, while friendlies account for 12 caps and 1 goal. He participated in qualifiers in late 2025, nearing his 50th cap.

Caps by Year (Senior Team)

YearCaps
20182
20198
20204
20215
20226
20237
202410
20257
Total49

Goals per Competition (Senior Team)

CompetitionGoalsCaps
214
Qualifiers415
Qualifiers08
Friendlies112
Total749
Note: The totals reflect the full senior international record as of November 18, 2025.

Honours and achievements

Club honours

During his club career, Samuel Chukwueze has won two major trophies. With Villarreal CF, he secured the UEFA Europa League in the 2020–21 season, Villarreal's first European title, after defeating Manchester United 11–10 on penalties in the final held in Gdańsk, Poland. Chukwueze featured in 11 matches throughout the campaign, contributing one goal and five assists, including a crucial assist for Manu Trigueros' opener in the first leg of the semi-final against Arsenal, which Villarreal won 2–1. Although sidelined by a hamstring injury for the final, his earlier performances were instrumental in Villarreal's run to the title. In 2024–25, Chukwueze added the to his honours with , who defeated in the final on 6 January 2025, marking the first Nigerian player to win major trophies in both and clubs.

Individual achievements

Samuel Chukwueze has earned several individual accolades throughout his career, recognizing his emergence as a promising talent in European football. In April 2019, he was awarded the Nigeria Football Federation's Young Player of the Year for 2018, surpassing competitors including , for his breakthrough performances with . Later that year, Chukwueze was nominated for the (CAF) Young Player of the Year award, reaching the final shortlist alongside Osimhen and , though he did not win. He also received a nomination for the inaugural , recognizing under-21 player, highlighting his international recognition early in his senior career. In June 2023, Chukwueze was named the LaLiga Santander African for the 2022–23 season, an honor voted by African journalists for his contributions of seven goals and six assists in 34 appearances for . Beyond club awards, in February 2024, he was conferred the Member of the (MON) by the Nigerian government, alongside his Super Eagles teammates, for securing the at the . In June 2025, Chukwueze helped Nigeria win the Unity Cup, an invitational international football tournament, scoring the winning goal in a 2–1 final victory over Jamaica. Chukwueze holds notable records with Villarreal, including becoming the youngest player to reach 100 first-team appearances for the club in January 2021, achieving the milestone at age 21 years and seven months across LaLiga, Europa League, and Copa del Rey matches. His first LaLiga goal, scored on November 11, 2018, against Rayo Vallecano, made him the fourth-youngest scorer in the Spanish top flight that season at 19 years, five months, and 20 days. As of 2025, Chukwueze has not received major global honors such as the Ballon d'Or or CAF African Player of the Year.

References

  1. https://www.transfermarkt.com/samuel-chukwueze/profil/spieler/401922
  2. https://www.espn.com/soccer/player/_/id/228298/samuel-chukwueze
  3. https://www.transfermarkt.com/samuel-chukwueze/transfers/spieler/401922
  4. https://www.transfermarkt.com/samuel-chukwueze/leistungsdaten/spieler/401922
  5. https://www.espn.com/soccer/report/_/gameId/729248
  6. https://www.transfermarkt.us/samuel-chukwueze/erfolge/spieler/401922
  7. https://www.transfermarkt.us/samuel-chukwueze/nationalmannschaft/spieler/401922
  8. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47784841
  9. https://www.afrik-foot.com/en-ng/samuel-chukwueze
  10. https://www.laliga.com/en-GB/news/five-things-you-didnt-know-about-samuel-chukwueze
  11. https://punchng.com/footballers-who-rose-from-humble-beginnings-to-become-household-names/
  12. https://www.pulsesports.ng/football/story/samuel-chukwueze-net-worth-biography-age-career-stats-salary-value-achievements-girlfriend-how-rich-is-he-in-2024-2023060207302767850
  13. https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/from-burning-boots-to-scoring-boots---meet-villarreals-robben-like-rising-star-samuel-chukwueze/4qd03k1axfb51pfelx76zrjzf
  14. https://www.afrik-foot.com/en-ng/samuel-chukwueze-bio-life-story-siblings
  15. https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/soccer/news/samuel-chukwueze-becomes-youngest-villarreal-centurion/keef35ypgfhe1izbm7n0hpdn8
  16. https://www.espn.com/soccer/stats/_/league/FIFA.WORLD.U17/season/2015/fifa-under-17-world-cup
  17. https://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/from-burning-boots-to-scoring-boots---meet-villarreals-robben-like-rising-star-samuel-chukwueze/4qd03k1axfb51pfelx76zrjzf
  18. https://m.allfootballapp.com/news/EPL/Meet-Samuel-Chukwueze-Villarreals-Nigerian-rising-star/974333
  19. https://www.transfermarkt.us/samuel-chukwueze/leistungsdaten/spieler/401922/saison/2017
  20. https://www.transfermarkt.us/samuel-chukwueze/leistungsdaten/spieler/401922
  21. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46182933
  22. https://fbref.com/en/players/b8a642fc/Samuel-Chukwueze
  23. https://www.transfermarkt.us/samuel-chukwueze/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/401922
  24. https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/media/2023-07-27/official-statement-samuel-chukwueze
  25. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/38085495/milan-sign-nigeria-forward-samuel-chukwueze-villarreal
  26. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4722743/2023/07/27/samuel-chukwueze-ac-milan-transfer/
  27. https://www.transfermarkt.com/samuel-chukwueze/leistungsdaten/spieler/401922/saison/2023
  28. https://www.transfermarkt.us/samuel-chukwueze/verletzungen/spieler/401922
  29. https://www.villarrealusa.com/2023/12/1/23982624/ac-milan-expert-samu-chukwuezes
  30. https://www.transfermarkt.com/samuel-chukwueze/leistungsdaten/spieler/401922/saison/2024
  31. https://www.espn.co.uk/football/match/_/gameId/712157/ac-milan-internazionale
  32. https://www.rossoneriblog.com/2025/09/01/official-chukwueze-leaves-milan-and-joins-fulham-on-loan-with-option-to-buy/
  33. https://football-italia.net/exclusive-fulham-on-verge-milan-chukwueze/
  34. https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/media/2025-09-01/official-statement-samuel-chukwueze
  35. https://www.transfermarkt.us/samuel-chukwueze/profil/spieler/401922
  36. https://www.transfermarkt.us/samuel-chukwueze/marktwertverlauf/spieler/401922
  37. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cwylxyvq4jpt
  38. https://thenationonlineng.net/chukwueze-still-recovering-from-calf-injury/
  39. https://boldsportsng.com/fulham-vs-wolves-chukwueze-returns-as-cottagers-cruise-to-3-0-win-over-wolves/
  40. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/740701/fulham-everton
  41. https://www.whoscored.com/Players/363665/Show/Samuel-Chukwueze
  42. https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/p/samuel-chukwueze-has-been-fulhams
  43. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37564096/super-eagles-new-boy
  44. https://inside.fifa.com/news/what-happened-to-the-history-making-golden-eaglets
  45. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48185206
  46. http://naijalifemagazine.com/blog/2019/05/11/samuel-chukwueze-finally-dumps-flying-eagles-world-cup-super-eagles-afcon/
  47. https://theinterview.ng/2019/05/03/my-toughest-match-in-life-samuel-chukwueze/
  48. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46306322
  49. https://www.footballdatabase.eu/en/player/details/286171-samuel-chukwueze
  50. https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/samuel-chukwueze/africa-cup/4/
  51. https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/sport-60010615
  52. https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/nigeria-congo-dr-match-report
  53. https://www.transfermarkt.com/samuel-chukwueze/nationalmannschaft/spieler/401922
  54. https://sports.yahoo.com/article/lesotho-vs-nigeria-live-score-140001410.html
  55. https://www.xgstat.com/competitions/premier-league/2025-2026/players/samuel-chukwueze/history/career
  56. https://peopleofabia.com/samuel-chukwueze-builds-multi-million-naira-mansion-for-father-in-bende-a-touching-story-of-redemption-and-family-bond
  57. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/apr/10/samuel-chukwuezes-cartoon-golazo-seals-his-place-as-villarreals-new-hero
  58. https://sportsbuddy.ng/2024/08/08/samuel-chukwueze-my-mum-burnt
  59. https://www.pulsesports.ng/football/story/super-eagles-top-7-most-followed-nigerian-footballers-on-instagram-in-2025-2025061912491208939
  60. https://www.instagram.com/p/DPJm1KQimNP/?hl=en
  61. https://abntv.ng/2020/08/abn-tv-samuel-chukwueze-foundation-finalise-mou-photos/
  62. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1142625451238108&set=a.463947919105868&type=3
  63. https://www.sportypedia.com.ng/2025/01/samuel-chukwueze-biography-current-club.html?m=1
  64. https://www.pulsesports.ng/lifestyle/story/i-love-you-samuel-chukuwueze-receives-heartfelt-message-from-bestie-and-rumoured-girlfriend-on-26th-birthday-2025052213344647948
  65. https://www.pulse.ng/articles/samuel-chukwueze-profile-age-salary-net-worth-girlfriend-house-cars-pictures-latest-2024072517384340893
  66. https://breakingthelines.com/player-analysis/samuel-chukwueze-the-long-awaited-arrival-of-nigerias-latest-attacking-sensation/
  67. https://www.facebook.com/legitngsports/posts/super-eagles-crafty-winger-samuel-chukwueze-has-been-officially-named-as-the-14t/1173641379647176/
  68. https://www.fotmob.com/leagues/55/stats/season/23819/players/won_contest/serie
  69. https://blogarchive.statsbomb.com/articles/soccer/villarreal-chukwueze-no-right-foot/
  70. https://brila.net/mallorca-interested-in-samuel-chukwueze/
  71. https://www.fotmob.com/players/688300/samuel-chukwueze
  72. https://breakingthelines.com/player-analysis/player-analysis-samuel-chukwueze/
  73. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37637887/chukwueze-channels-messi-robben-match-winning-performance-vs-real-madrid
  74. https://football-italia.net/chukwueze-can-be-most-exciting-change-milan/
  75. https://www.transfermarkt.us/samuel-chukwueze/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/401922
  76. https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/samuel-chukwueze/u17-h-wm/4/
  77. https://www.olympics.com/en/news/exclusive-football-samuel-chukwueze-semi-ajayi-nigeria-fifa-world-cup-2026-qualifiers
  78. https://fbref.com/en/players/b8a642fc/matchlogs/2020-2021/c19/Samuel-Chukwueze-Match-Logs
  79. https://www.transfermarkt.us/%25E3%2583%2593%25E3%2582%25B8%25E3%2583%25A3%25E3%2583%25AC%25E3%2582%25A2%25E3%2583%25AB-cf_%25E3%2582%25A2%25E3%2583%25BC%25E3%2582%25BB%25E3%2583%258A%25E3%2583%25ABfc/index/spielbericht/3553250
  80. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37617732/chukwueze-europa-title-highlight-nigeria-season
  81. https://punchng.com/chukwueze-makes-history-after-milan-supercoppa-win/
  82. https://x.com/afroballers/status/1876404687387406710
  83. https://www.channelstv.com/2019/12/22/oshoala-osimhen-chukwueze-make-final-list-of-2019-caf-awards/
  84. https://allafrica.com/stories/201910220055.html
  85. https://www.laliga.com/en-GB/news/villarreal-cfs-samuel-chukwueze-is-the-2022-2023-laliga-santander-african-mvp-award-winner
  86. https://soccernet.ng/2024/02/watch-nigerias-chukwueze-returns-to-ac-milan-gets-hugs-from-portugal-star-leao-others-after-afcon-exploits.html
  87. https://www.facebook.com/100083217608124/videos/samuel-chukwueze-puts-nigeria-in-the-lead-unity-cup-final-jamaica-1-2-nigeriak-d/1917571495743098/
  88. https://villarrealcf.es/en/samu-chukwueze-becomes-a-yellows-centenarian/
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