Super Eagles’ star, Samuel Chukwueze etched his name in Nigerian football history by becoming the first player from the country to win major trophies in both Spain and Italy after AC Milan’s dramatic 3-2 triumph over Inter Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana on Monday night in Saudi Arabia.
Though the Eagles winger missed the tie due to a hamstring injury sustained in Milan’s 1-1 draw against Roma earlier this month, his registration for the competition ensures he joins an elite list of Nigerians who have clinched the trophy loosely translated as the ‘Italian Super Cup’.
The 25-year-old’s latest silverware adds to his 2021 UEFA Europa League success with Spanish side Villarreal, where he played a pivotal role in their European conquest, finishing as the tournament’s top assist provider as the Yellow Submarine secured their first major trophy in the club’s 98-year history.
His unique achievement surpasses those of several Nigerian football icons who, despite illustrious careers in European football, never managed to win major honours in both countries, marking a significant milestone in the rich history of Nigerian footballers in European competitions.
The victory, sealed by former Chelsea striker, Tammy Abraham’s stoppage-time winner, saw Milan come from two goals down after Inter had taken the lead through Mehdi Taremi and Lautaro Martinez.
The dramatic comeback, completed by goals from Christian Pulisic, Theo Hernandez and Abraham, earned new coach Sergio Conceição his first trophy and denied Inter a record fourth consecutive Supercoppa triumph.
For Chukwueze, who joined the Rossoneri in a €20m move last summer, the trophy marks a remarkable journey that began at Diamond Academy in Umuahia before his move to Villarreal in 2017. His development in Spain saw him emerge as one of Europe’s most exciting wingers, earning him the big-money move to Milan.
The injury that kept him out of Monday’s triumph came at a particularly frustrating time, with the Nigerian showing flashes of his creative brilliance in his 62 minutes against Roma before being forced off.
According to MilanNews, the MRI scan revealed a lesion of the left femoral biceps, ruling him out for approximately one month.
Despite the setback, Chukwueze joins an illustrious list of Nigerian players who have tasted success in Italian football. He follows in the footsteps of former Super Eagles stars Obafemi Martins, Joel Obi, and Obinna Nsofor, who all claimed Supercoppa glory with Inter Milan in different years.
Credit: punchng.com
