Playing for Super Eagles a dream come true, says Chukwueze

Villarreal winger, Samuel Chukwueze has described his international debut for Nigeria as the completion of a “dream year.”

The 19-year-old’s skill and impressive left foot caught the eye after starting for the Super Eagles in Tuesday’s 0-0 friendly draw against Uganda in Asaba.

Chukwueze is enjoying a breakthrough season, scoring in both the League and Spanish Cup despite only earning promotion to the first team from the reserves.

“Making my debut for Nigeria only completes a dream year in my professional life,” he told BBC Sport.

“I’ve played and scored for Villarreal this year, and I never expected to get a chance to get into the Super Eagles team, but everything is happening like a dream.

“Some people wait for several years to live a dream but I am grateful to Villarreal and Nigeria for making all my dreams happen in under a year.”

A Fifa under-17 World Cup winner with Nigeria in 2015, he has been likened to his hero and Bayern Munich’s former Netherlands international winger Arjen Robben.

Chukwueze – who came close to joining Arsenal in 2016 – arrived at Villarreal from Nigeria’s Diamond Academy in August 2017.

“My friends started the whole Arjen Robben comparison because of my playing style and I consider him as my first football hero,” he added.

“I know there is still a lot for me to do to even come close to what he has achieved in football, so I am not getting carried away.

“At Villarreal the officials keep reminding me of another Nigerian – Ikechukwu Uche – who they regard as a legend at the club and they’ve told me to try to emulate his ways on and off the pitch.

“I have some big players to look up to and I hope to continue my best to achieve more dreams with both Villarreal and Nigeria.”

Chukwueze joins a growing list of Nigeria’s U-17 World Cup winners who have progressed to the senior national side.

Others are Francis Uzoho, Musa Muhamed, Kelechi Iheanacho, Isaac Success, Victor Osimhen, Dele Alampasu, while brothers Chidiebere and Kelechi Nwakali have also played for the Super Eagles B side.