Samuel Chukwueze is a Nigerian footballer who currently plays as a winger for Serie A side AC Milan, and Nigeria's national football team, the Super Eagles.
In this article, we will reveal a lot about the player who is known for his pace, trickery and sensational left foot reminiscent of Dutch legend Arjen Robben.
How old is Samuel Chukwueze?
Born on 22 May 1999, the Super Eagles right-winger is 24 at the time of writing.
What is Samuel Chukwueze's full name?
He was born Samuel Chimerenka Chukwueze in Abia State, Nigeria.
Samuel Chukwueze's height
Chukwueze is not a very tall footballer but the Nigerian can hold his own at 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in).
Samuel Chukwueze biography: Childhood & early life story
Samuel Chukwueze, born in Amaokwe Ugba Ibeku, Abia State, Nigeria, to parents of Igbo origin, embarked on his football journey with a passion that set him apart from a young age.
Growing up, he demonstrated an unwavering love for the game, which began shaping his future as a fearsome winger.
Chukwueze’s football career took its initial steps in Nigeria, where he trained with several academies, including Future Hope, New Generation Academy, and Diamond Football Academy. It was during his time at Diamond Football Academy that he truly honed his skills, earning recognition for his exceptional talent. His breakthrough moment came in 2013, when his impressive performance at the Portuguese Iber Youth Cup caught the eye of scouts, ultimately leading to his first European contract with Villarreal.
From an early age, Chukwueze’s inspiration came from football legends like Nigeria’s Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha and Dutch winger Arjen Robben. He started playing football at just 8 years old, balancing his education at Government College Umuahia and Evangel Secondary School with his dream of becoming a professional footballer.
However, his journey was not without challenges. Like many aspiring young Nigerian footballers, Chukwueze faced opposition from his family, who prioritized education over sports. His determination was tested when his family went as far as burning his football boots and training kit to dissuade him. Undeterred, Chukwueze persevered, proving his resilience and dedication to his dream.
Samuel Chukwueze’s rise from humble beginnings to global recognition is a testament to his passion, hard work, and unwavering commitment to his goals. His story continues to inspire young footballers across the world.
Samuel Chukwueze's club career
Chukwueze has played for two clubs so far in his career.
Villarreal
The Super Eagles winger joined Villarreal's youth setup (Juvenil A) in 2017 from Diamond Football Academy where he honed his skills for some time.
His journey in Villarreal was not without challenges, as he faced difficulties adapting to the Spanish language and culture.
Nonetheless, Chukwueze's sheer determination to succeed, combined with his exceptional skills, earned him a place in Villarreal's reserves, and eventually led to his debut for the first team.
He made his senior team debut on 20 September 2018 when he replaced Nicola Sansone in a 2-2 home draw against Glasgow Rangers in the Europa League. Moreover, his La Liga debut came against Levante on 5 November 2018, a clash which ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
After scoring his first senior goal for the club against Athletic Bilbao in a 3-2 away defeat on 20 May 2018, Chukwueze has gone on to score crucial goals for the club against Bayern Munich in the 2021/22 Champions League. His 88th minute equaliser helped Villarreal to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
On 8 April 2023, the Nigerian winger bagged a brace against Real Madrid in a 3-2 victory away from home in La Liga. Later that summer, he secured a move away from the club.
AC Milan
Chukwueze signed for AC Milan on 27 July 2023 after 207 appearances for Villarreal across all competitions with 37 goals scored.
The Super Eagles winger made his debut for the Rossoneri in their opening game of the 2023/24 Serie A season. He came on as a substitute in the 73rd minute for Christian Pulisic on 21 August 2023 in a game that ended 2-0 for Milan.
He scored his first AC Milan goal in a 3-1 home defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on 28 November 2023.
The Nigerian bagged his first Serie A goal in a 3-1 home win for AC Milan against Hellas Verona on 17 March 2024. So far, he has scored three goals in 28 appearances across all competitions for the Rossoneri.
At the time of publishing, Chukwueze has three goals and three assists for AC Milan across all competitions.
Samuel Chukwueze's international career
The international breakthrough moment for Chukwueze came during the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, where he played a starring role in Nigeria's success alongside Victor Osimhen and Kelechi Nwakali as teammates.
His impressive performances and goal-scoring prowess garnered interest from top European clubs, with Villarreal CF eventually securing his services.
And in October, 2018 Chukwueze received his first Super Eagles call-up. He made his senior international debut on 20 November 2018 in a friendly against Uganda, a game that ended goalless.
Chukwueze bagged his first Super Eagles goal against South Africa during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt where Nigeria defeated Bafana Bafana 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
At the time of writing, he has appeared in three different AFCON tournaments for his country and has so far scored five goals in 35 matches donning the famous green-white-green jersey.
Does Samuel Chukwueze have siblings?
Chukwueze has two siblings, a brother and a sister. However, not much is known about them, besides his sister's name, Princess.
What is Samuel Chukwueze's tribe and state of origin
The 24-year-old is of the Igbo tribe, one of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria. His state of origin is Abia State.
What religion does Samuel Chukwueze practise?
The winger hails from eastern Nigeria. He was brought up in a Christian background, specifically of the Roman Catholic faith.
Samuel Chukwueze's family
He was born to Mr. and Mrs. Chukwueze who hail from Amaokwe Ugba Ibeku in Abia State. They have three children, two boys and a girl.
Samuel Chukwueze's net worth
Chukwueze's net worth is estimated at $6m. He received a huge raise when he made the switch from Villarreal to AC Milan in the summer of 2023.
Samuel Chukwueze's market value and salary
According to Transfermarkt, Chukwueze's current market value as of September 2024 is €20 million. He is among the top four ranked players from Nigeria. His highest market value was as high as €30m on 11 June 2019.
Also, Chukwueze's salary is reported to be €104,000 per week, which translates to about €5 million per year.
Does Samuel Chukwueze have a wife?
Although the Super Eagles winger likes to keep his private life away from the media, it is generally believed that he's unmarried. Interestingly, there has been a lot of speculation about his relationship status. While there are rumours linking him to women like Klara Kalu and Amara Ikeme, none of those rumours were confirmed.
Samuel Chukwueze's awards and achievements
These are some of Samuel Chukwueze's career achievements
- 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner.
- 2015 Bronze Boot Winner, FIFA U-17 World Cup.
- Nigeria Football Federation's Young Player of the Year for the 2017/18 season.
- 2020/21 UEFA Europa League champion.
- 2022/23 La Liga Best African Player of the season.
Frequently asked questions about Samuel Chukwueze
How much is Samuel Chukwueze's salary per week? As it stands, Chukwueze makes a whopping €104,000 per week, which makes him one of the highest-paid Super Eagles players.
Where is Samuel Chukwueze from in Nigeria? Chukwueze is from Amaokwe Ugba Ibeku in Umuahia, Abia State.
Has Chukwueze scored for AC Milan? Yes, his first goal for Milan came in a friendly on 13 August 2023, while his first goal in a competitive fixture was in a UEFA Champions League match against Dortmund on 28 November 2023.
What league does Chukwueze play? Chukwueze plays in the Serie A, Italy's top-flight.
How many siblings does Chukwueze have? The Super Eagles winger has two siblings, a brother and a sister.
