Soccer News of Friday, 9 June 2023
Source: www.sportsbrief.com
In the vibrant world of football, there is a constellation of stars whose remarkable talent shines brightly, each with roots deeply embedded in the diverse continent of Africa.
These extraordinary athletes not only exhibit exceptional skills on the pitch but also carry the heritage and pride of their African ancestry.
Sports Brief takes a look at top football stars who have left an indelible mark on the beautiful game with African roots:
Bukayo Saka (Nigeria)
Saka, one of the most impressive Arsenal players this season, truly stood out by achieving double-digit figures in both goals and assists, registering 14 goals and 11 assists. The exceptionally skilled young English talent with Nigerian heritage claimed the third spot on the Most Valuable Player list by CIES Football Observatory.
The English-born forward is currently winding down in Lagos, Nigeria, after a stellar campaign with the Gunners and could have represented the West African country instead of the land of his birth.
He opened up about how he came close to representing Nigeria a couple of years ago:
"I will tell you this. I was very close to playing for one of the youth teams in 2019. It was the wish of my father, but things happen, and you have to live with your decisions. I feel very much Nigerian, and nothing can change that."
Son of the soil!
— Mimi Fawaz (@MimosaFawaz) June 1, 2023
Loving all these videos of Bukayo Saka in Nigeria.
Wearing traditional wear as he is walking around the streets of Lagos, Nigeria ????????
pic.twitter.com/9sO5fA5XJi
Paul Labile Pogba received a hero’s welcome on his arrival to Guinea.
— Thierry Nyann ???????? (@nyannthierry) June 21, 2022
There’s no place like home???? pic.twitter.com/8M27pPkgsF
Antonio Rudiger is donating his World Cup earnings to pay for the operations of children in need in his mother's home country of Sierra Leone ????❤️
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 14, 2022
(via @BigShoe_11, @ToniRuediger) pic.twitter.com/oHYEJmertJ
Memphis Depay again lands in Ghana to do his usual philanthropic works pic.twitter.com/eqFL5RxorG
— Frank Darkwah (@Blaqqkoffi) June 16, 2022
Achraf Hakimi and his best friend Kylian Mbappé are in Morocco for holidays. ????????????
— Micky Jnr ✪ (@MickyJnr__) June 17, 2022
We all love, Africa. ✊????????#Morocco #PSG #VisitAfrica pic.twitter.com/QBX5PTxnZe