Who is Kareem Tunde? The Barcelona-trained winger Nigeria’s Super Eagles could soon call up

The biggest stars in La Liga at the moment are Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe but little-known Kareem Tunde Ruiz is quietly building a name for himself in Spanish football, Afrik-Foot reports.

Born in Barcelona to a Nigerian father and a Spanish mother, the young winger represents a blend of two football cultures. While Spain shaped his early development, Nigeria remains a strong part of his identity.

Tunde’s journey began in local football before he moved through the ranks at RCD Espanyol. His big step came in 2017 when he joined Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy, widely known for producing some of the world’s best players. Although he spent only three years there, the experience helped shape his technical style and confidence on the ball.

After leaving Barcelona in 2020, Tunde continued his development at CF Damm before joining Levante’s youth system. His steady progress earned him a place in Levante B, where he quickly became a regular starter. His performances soon caught the attention of handlers of the senior team and in December 2025, he made his La Liga debut against Real Sociedad.

Since then, Tunde has grown into a reliable member of the first team. In the 2025/2026 season, he has featured regularly, making 14 league appearances and starting most of them. His first assist came in an impressive 4-2 win over Real Oviedo, a performance that showed his growing confidence at the top level.

On the pitch, Tunde is a left-footed winger known for his pace and willingness to take on defenders. He enjoys running directly at opponents, using quick feet and sharp movement to create space. His style is simple but effective; get the ball, attack the defender, and make something happen. He also works hard off the ball, tracking back and helping his team defensively, which is a valuable trait for a modern winger.

Kareem Tunde: A future Super Eagles star?

Despite growing up in Spain, Kareem Tunde has strong ties to Nigeria and proudly shows it. He holds dual nationality and has often expressed his connection to his Nigerian roots. So far, he has not played for any senior national team, leaving the door open for Nigeria.

For the Super Eagles, Tunde could offer something slightly different. Nigeria already has talented wingers like Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Philip Otele, Yira Sor, and Samuel Chukwueze. However, many of them are right-footed, while Tunde’s natural left foot provides balance and variety in attack.

Under head coach Éric Chelle, Nigeria has focused on fast, direct football, especially from wide areas. This is where Tunde fits in well. His dribbling ability and direct running match the style the team is trying to build. He is also comfortable playing on either wing, which gives tactical flexibility.

At this stage, Tunde would likely start as a squad player rather than a guaranteed starter. But his energy and fearlessness could make him a strong option off the bench. In tight games, a player willing to take risks and run at tired defenders can make a big difference.

The challenge, of course, will be competition. Nigeria’s attacking depth is strong, and breaking into the team will not be easy. Still, at 20, Tunde has time on his side. If he continues to develop at Levante and improve his end product, goals and assists, his case for a call-up will only grow stronger.

However, Kareem Tunde remains a player to watch for Nigeria. But if his rise continues at this pace, it may not be long before Nigeria comes calling, and when that moment arrives, he could be ready.