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- TheRadar highlights the careers of four Super Eagles players who have represented AC Milan
- We take an extensive look into how these players made notable impacts during their time at Milan and beyond from Taribo West's tough defence to Chukwueze's dynamic wing play
- While their careers had its ups and downs, they are remembered for both their on-field performances and their personal stories
If you’re a fan of Nigerian football or AC Milan, this article is your goldmine! It dives deep into the journeys of four standout Super Eagles players who have donned the iconic red and black of the Rossoneri.
From Taribo West's unique hairstyle and robust defending to Taye Taiwo's blistering left-foot strikes, all the way to Samuel Chukwueze's electric wing play, there’s so much history between Nigeria and AC Milan.
Whether you're here for nostalgia or curious about current stars, get ready to learn more about these legends and their unique impact on both club and country. Ready to explore? Let’s dive in!
Facts about Super Eagles stars who have played for the “Rossoneri”
TheRadar has compiled in detail interesting facts about past and present Super Eagles players of AC Milan:
Taribo West
Taribo West, popular for his flamboyant hairstyles and a key figure in the iconic video game Championship Manager 2001-02, transitioned from his eventful football career to spreading faith as a religious pastor after hanging up his boots in 2007.
Growing up in the tough neighbourhoods of Shomolu after moving from Port-Harcourt to Lagos, he navigated a rough path filled with dead-end jobs before finding his calling in football. It was the tragic death of a childhood friend that prompted his return to Port-Harcourt, and in 1993, West’s breakthrough came in the form of a professional football career in France.
At Auxerre, West showed his defensive prowess, playing a crucial role in the club's first-ever Ligue 1 triumph in 1995-96. The game left a lasting impact on many, including a young Thierry Henry,
“I would go back in the day to Taribo West, At Auxerre, they were man-marking. He was following you everywhere, even in the dressing room!” Henry recalled during CBS Sports' Champions League coverage in 2021 when asked about his toughest opponent.
West’s prime years stretched from the mid-90s to the early 2000s, in 1996, he was instrumental in Nigeria's Olympic gold win, playing every minute of the Dream Team’s sensational run.
The team’s remarkable victories over Brazil and Argentina which saw them win a gold medal became a defining moment in Nigerian football. Two years later, now with an established reputation, West was on the international stage again but this time for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, now as a far more mature player and a key figure in Nigeria’s defence.
At club level, he was part of Inter Milan's UEFA Cup-winning squad in 1998. Their dominant 3-0 victory over Lazio in the final saw West receive a red card, yet with the Nerazzurri comfortably ahead, only a major collapse could have prevented their triumph. The red card, which gave him a “bad boy” image did little to overshadow his contributions to the team’s success.
Back in France for the World Cup, West remained a vital player for the Super Eagles, who had assembled a squad filled with the same talents that had dazzled in Atlanta two years earlier. Despite their potential, Nigeria’s run was unexpectedly cut short by Denmark in a 4-1 defeat in the round of 16.
However Taribo West’s legacy as one of Nigeria's greatest defenders remained intact, a player celebrated not just for his hairstyle, but for his passion on the pitch.
While modern football may no longer have a place for such uncompromising defenders, West’s technique and tenacity ensured that he was, and always will be, one of a kind.
Taye Taiwo
Taye Taiwo, prominent for his thunderous left-footed strikes, is a name that commands admiration among Nigerian football fans and supporters of the various clubs he represented throughout his career.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, to his parents Salisu and Mrs Taiwo, Taye was the firstborn in a twin birth, earning him the name ‘Taye,’ a Yoruba traditional name. Though rumours circulated for years about age discrepancies between him and his twin, Taiwo later clarified that these stories were false.
According to him, his twin sister tragically passed away as a child and having lost his mother many years ago and his father in 2020, Taiwo now carries the family legacy alongside his siblings, two other sisters and three brothers.
Taiwo’s football journey began in the Nigerian Professional League before he embarked on a European adventure in 2005, signing for Olympique de Marseille. His stint in France remains the high point of his career, where his defensive skills made him a fan favourite.
While representing Nigeria at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2005, Taiwo gained valuable international experience and was part of one of Nigeria’s most memorable football moments.
Taiwo’s career wasn’t without its hurdles, with occasional disciplinary issues and inconsistency hampering his progress. However, his time at Marseille, where he won several trophies, including Ligue 1 and the Coupe de la Ligue only proved that he had a successful spell with the French side. Taiwo’s impact on the club has transcended generations, with current French international Adrien Rabiot citing him as one of his favourite players growing up.
In 2011, his outstanding performances at Marseille earned him a high-profile move to AC Milan. Unfortunately, his time in Italy was far from successful, as he struggled for game time and faced stiff competition from other left-backs. His next step took him on a series of loan moves, including a brief stint at Queens Park Rangers in the English Premier League, and later Dynamo Kyiv in Ukraine.
Following his time at AC Milan, Taiwo’s career took a nomadic turn as he played for Bursaspor in Turkey, HJK Helsinki in Finland, Lausanne in Switzerland, and AFC Eskilstuna in Sweden, among others. His final professional moves included spells in the United States and Finland, where he eventually hung up his boots.
On the international stage, Taiwo had a commendable career, earning numerous caps for Nigeria. He played a crucial role in the Super Eagles' defence during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
One of the highlights of his international career was Nigeria’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations victory, where Taiwo’s defensive contributions helped the team secure the trophy.
In addition to his on-field success, Taiwo’s net worth is estimated at over $6 million, thanks to earnings from football and business ventures. The former left-back reportedly built a 3-billion-naira hotel in Lagos at some point and has other businesses around Nigeria.
Taiwo is married to his longtime partner Nimota, with whom he shares two children.
Aliyu Datti
Aliyu Datti’s journey in football is a tale of early promise and narrow twists of fate. The Nigerian forward, who enjoyed a career spanning over a decade in Italy and Belgium, stands among the select few Nigerians to have lifted the Scudetto, but his rise to prominence came with an unusual twist; ‘the drawing of lots.’
At just 15 years old, Datti found himself in Italy in 1997, signing for Serie B club Padova. Standing at nearly six feet tall (1.80 meters), he was lean yet explosive, relying on his speed and agility as a striker.
However, Padova’s ambitions to sign two Nigerian youngsters, Aliyu Datti and another Hashimu Garba, were complicated by the club’s limited non-EU player quota, which only had room for one player.
As former Padova president Cesare Vigano revealed,
“When I saw him [Aliyu] with Garba, I didn’t know who to choose. They were both good, but I could have one. So, we cast lots at the dinner table in the evening, and Aliyu came out.”
While Garba went to Chievo, Datti remained in Serie B, impressing at Padova and later Ravenna, where his performances caught the attention of Italian giants AC Milan. His Serie A debut came at the age of 16 on January 24, 1999, in a hard-fought match against Bologna. Coming on as a substitute in the final minutes of a 2-2 game, Datti won the crucial free kick that Bruno N'Gotty converted, sealing a 3-2 win. This victory would be significant as Milan went on to win the 1998-99 Scudetto by a single point, edging out Lazio.
At this time, Datti’s talent had caught the eye of many, and even with the early days of the internet, the hype around him was buzzing. In the summer of 1999, during a pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich, he showed again his potential, scoring a goal and providing two assists in a dominant 4-0 win.
Yet, despite these moments of brilliance, his career trajectory at Milan faltered. His second Serie A appearance came a full 15 months after his debut, a 2-2 draw with Torino and ultimately, it was to be his last appearance for the Rossoneri.
As the excitement around him faded, Datti spent time on loan at Monza and Siena, scoring his first professional goals with the former.
However, his presence at Milan had become more of a hindrance due to his non-EU status, which the club needed to free up for an emerging talent. By 2003, Milan had their eyes on a rising star from Brazil, young Kaka.
In order to bring Kaka to Milan, the club needed to create space, and thus, Aliyu Datti was sold to Standard Liege. Adriano Galliani, Milan’s sporting director at the time, later commented on the move, saying,
“The stars of the Kaka operation? Leonardo, [former Milan CEO Ariedo] Braida… I would add Galliani who, a month before buying Kaka, was inspired to sell Aliyu to Standard Liege to free up a place as a non-EU citizen.”
Datti, though, found stability in Belgian football, where he regularly found the net for clubs like Standard Liege, Mons, and Zulte Waregem, even featuring in the Europa League. However, the early start to his career had taken its toll, and by the age of 28, he retired from professional football, choosing to become a scout in Nigeria.
As for Kaka, the Brazilian wonderkid lived up to the hype, leading Milan to a Serie A title in 2004 and a Champions League triumph in 2007, winning the Ballon d’Or that same year.
Yet, for all of Kaka’s success, Milan fans should remember that his arrival was made possible by the departure of Aliyu Datti a player whose story, though overshadowed, played a part in shaping Milan’s fortunes that year.
Samuel Chukwueze
Samuel Chukwueze, a Nigerian football sensation known for his blistering pace, deft footwork, and a left foot reminiscent of Dutch legend Arjen Robben, currently dazzles as a winger for both AC Milan and Nigeria’s national team, the Super Eagles.
Chukwueze's journey from humble beginnings to the top of European football has been nothing short of inspiring. Born in Amaokwe Ugba Ibeku, Abia State, to parents of Igbo descent, his football journey began in Nigeria before his undeniable talent saw him rise to prominence at Villarreal in Spain.
Chukwueze's story began with football academies like Future Hope, New Generation Academy, and eventually, Diamond Football Academy. His passion for the game was clear from a young age, even as he faced family resistance. Inspired by the likes of Nigerian legend Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha and Robben, Chukwueze’s dream of playing professionally was unwavering.
It was at Diamond Football Academy where Chukwueze saw his breakthrough, particularly during the 2013 Portuguese Iber Youth Cup, catching the eye of international scouts and securing his first European contract. He joined Villarreal’s youth system in 2017, and his debut came in September 2018, replacing Nicola Sansone in a 2-2 Europa League draw against Rangers. His La Liga debut followed against Levante in November 2018, a game that ended in a 1-1 draw.
Chukwueze quickly became a key figure at Villarreal, with notable performances including a crucial goal against Bayern Munich in the 2021/22 Champions League, helping his team reach the semi-finals.
In April 2023, his brace against Real Madrid in a 3-2 victory made him even more popular. After 207 appearances and 37 goals for the Spanish side, Chukwueze secured a move to Serie A’s AC Milan in July 2023. His debut for the Rossoneri came on August 21, 2023, as a substitute in their 2-0 Serie A opener against Bologna. He netted his first Milan goal in a 3-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in November 2023.
On the international stage, Chukwueze first gained recognition during the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, playing alongside the likes of Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Nwakali, where Nigeria triumphed. His performances soon earned him a call-up to the senior Super Eagles squad in October 2018.
His international senior debut came a month later in a goalless draw against Uganda. Chukwueze’s first international goal was during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, helping Nigeria secure a 2-1 win over South Africa in the quarter-finals. He has since participated in three AFCON tournaments, scoring five goals in 35 appearances for Nigeria.
Chukwueze's move to AC Milan significantly boosted his earnings. His weekly salary is reported at €104,000, amounting to roughly €5 million annually. His market value as of September 2024, according to Transfermarkt, stands at €20 million, with his highest valuation reaching €30 million in 2019. The AC Milan winger currently has a net worth of $6 million.
Super Eagles withdraw from AFCON qualifier after 12-hour airport ordeal in Libya
Previously, TheRadar reported that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has made the difficult decision to withdraw the Super Eagles from their crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Libya.
This decision follows a distressing 12-hour ordeal at Al Abraq International Airport, where the Nigerian team was stranded with no assistance from local authorities. The situation quickly escalated into a diplomatic nightmare, leaving players and officials frustrated as they were abandoned in a strange Libya environment.
