Top 10 Best Nigerian Footballers - 2026 (Ranked)

African football is on the rise once again, and Nigeria is one of those few nations that are leading the charge. There was a time when the Super Eagles used to reign over the warmest continent on earth. Before the beginning of the current decade, they somehow lost the reputation of being competitive. But now, on the back of the best Nigerian footballers, the national team is up and running yet again.

These players are not only proving themselves across major European leagues and continental tournaments but also carrying the flair, legacy, and intensity of Nigerian football with pride. Top talents like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Wilfred Ndidi are headlining the golden era of Super Eagles.

The list of the best Nigerian football players is packed with energy and quality. However, they are facing a strange downfall currently, which involves their inability to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They made a good run in the AFCON 2025, but faltered in the penalty shootout against one of the best AFCON teams currently, Morocco.

Super Eagles have the energy to go all the way through to the showpiece event, and the best Nigerian football players of 2026 have the required firepower to deliver on the biggest stage. Having said that, let's discuss the best Nigerian football player and others who are in contention to become the undisputed king of the country's football in 2026.

List of Best Nigerian Football Players

Analysing the stats, contributions, and individual performances, we at Sportsdunia have compiled the list of the 10 best Nigerian football players currently. Top individuals like Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, and Calvin Bassey have all found their places here.

How we Ranked the Best Nigerian Football Players in 2026?

To determine the best Nigerian football players in 2026, we have focused on certain parameters like performance stats, consistency, and impact in major games across all tournaments. Players who have been on top of their game week in and week out for at least two years have been ranked higher on the list.

• Performance Stats: Match stats like goals, assists, blocks, tackles, and saves are important in a player’s career growth. Players who have amassed glittering stats have been given preference over others.
• Consistency: Consistency of any form is key to success. The best Nigerian footballers have been performing at the highest level in their respective positions.
• Playing Position: Our search for the best Nigerian footballer has gone beyond the boundaries of the elite strikers. From defenders to midfielders, every deserved candidate from almost every position in the game has found their place on our list.
• Impact in Key Matches: Big game players are the most standout figures in our best Nigerian footballers list. Those who have delivered when it mattered most have left others behind to move up in our list.
  (Important note: Ranking factors are taken from reliable sources like Sportsdunia, Transfermrkt, and fbref)

Who is the Best Football player of Nigeria in 2026?

Still wondering who is the best football player of Nigeria in the wake of the country's outrageous bid to feature in the World Cup 2026? In that case, we have found 10 footballers from the AFCON nations who have righteous claims to be the face of the game in their country.

10. Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos)

Next on the list of the best Nigerian footballers is Cyriel Dessers, a name that is enough to create chaos amongst the opponent defenders. A classic forward and an elite scorer. His stint with Feyenoord opened a new horizon for him. After scoring over 40 goals in two years for Rangers FC, he has recently moved to the Greek football club, Panathinaikos FC.
What makes Dessers a modern elite striker is his scoring ability from anywhere on the pitch. He can run, dribble, and create chances for teammates. For the Super Eagles, he is the provider of the goals and a threat in the opposition box.

9. Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest)

Ola Aina, the former Chelsea man, continues to spin heads in the Premier League with his strong display with Nottingham Forest. His rise from a benchwarmer to the discussion of the best Nigerian footballer has been rapid. His priceless versatility at the back is only enriching the progress of Forest.
The dynamic full-back, who can chip in as a centre-back, has become a trusted defensive pillar for the English club for all the good reasons - goals, assists, and impactful performance against big teams. It's just that for players like Ola Aina, the Super Eagles are taking on major nations without fear.

The player was out with a hamstring injury for the majority of this season; however, he has now recovered and is set to hit the ground running.

8. Calvin Bassey (Fulham)

Another Fulham FC player is on our list of the best Nigerian football players 2026. And this time it is Calvin Bassey, a monster in the defense. Athleticism, unmatched work ethics, disciplined tackles, and a calm approach at the back - everything you want from a mature defender is there in him. Since last season, he has been a mainstay in the defense.
The Leicester City academy graduate reached the peak of his career at a young age when he lifted the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup for Rangers. His tall physique and ability in winning aerial duels have made him a great asset for Fulham FC.

7. Victor Boniface (Werder Bremen/ Bayer Leverkusen)

A monster in attack and a leader in the Bundesliga. Victor Boniface remains the undisputed king of Bayer Leverkusen's forward line. He has been sent to Werder Bremen on loan this season after he went through a devastating Bundesliga season last year, a move that surprised everyone, both fans and pundits alike.
He amassed over 25 goals last year for Leverkusen, an impressive display of aggressive attacking football, link-up play, and power. Boniface means business in the goals. It's as simple as that. His last two seasons led him to be a contender for the best Nigerian footballer.

6. Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen)

Nathan Tella, a player who was trained in England but blossomed in Germany. The former Arsenal player Tella has transformed himself into one of the most efficient and lethal strikers in Europe. From scoring crucial goals to providing assists, Tella is a fully upgraded attacking package that is unfolding in front of everyone's eyes at Bayer Leverkusen.
Be it changing the momentum of the game or winning crucial matches, he has become the go-to man for the Bundesliga club. His discipline and work ethic have established him as the best Nigerian footballer in recent years.

5. Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham/AC Milan)

Another important name that is boasting the proud footballing identity of Nigeria is Samuel Chukwueze. A right-winger who is living off big expectations and enormous potential. He is currently excelling at Fulham FC on a loan deal from AC Milan.
Despite showing promise, Chukwueze somehow found restraint in his Serie A stint. The U-17 World Cup winner has somehow found an edge for his explosive performances for the Cottagers. Two goals and four assists in nine Premier League games are something that speaks volumes. If Chukwueze continues to do what he is doing in England, he will definitely have a claim to become one of the best Nigerian football players of all time.

4. Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas)

Injuries and bad luck were not enough to derail Nigeria's midfield engine, Wilfred Ndidi's journey to becoming one of the best Nigerian footballers currently. And his move to Besiktas FC has revived his chance to show his creative flair in the middle of the park.
Ndidi is the impenetrable shield in the midfield who never hesitates to throw himself to block any threats. The Nigerian star is probably one of the best midfielders the Super Eagles have ever produced in their history. A warrior who knows his game better than others.

3. Alex Iwobi (Fulham)

If you need a central midfielder who can create a balance in the middle with controlled chaos, then Alex Iwobi is where your search ends. The 29-year-old playmaker, who once was the midfield jewel in England's youth team, is currently pulling the strings for Nigeria.
The Fulham midfielder's soaring rise to become one of the best Nigerian footballers is nothing short of a fairytale. Spending his whole club career in England to date, Iwobi has established himself as a mature figure in the midfield, a man who operates as the cog in the system of Fulham. From AFCON to the African Cup, he runs the show with goals and assists for the Super Eagles.

In the recent AFCON, he, along with Wilfred Ndidi, controlled the midfield quite well for Nigeria, which helped them find a place in the last four.

2. Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)

It was a tough call for us to put Ademola Lookman in the second position on the list of the best Nigerian football players, given his reputation and meteoric rise as a forward in Serie A. The main attacking man of Atalanta not only scores goals, but also shapes the results of the games with his impactful presence.
Having scored more goals and created more chances than most of the Nigerians in the national team, Lookman has set a standard for himself. From Serie A, Coppa Italia to major international campaigns, he has delivered when it has mattered most. With his composure, calmness with the ball, and precision, he is now capable of deciding the fates of the games. Ademola Lookman, a star who is on the move.

Lookman was the second-best player for Nigeria after Osimhen, with a G/A of 8 in just 5 games. He was instrumental in helping Nigeria reach the semifinals, but failed to step up in the crucial semifinal tie. However, one match shouldn't taint the performances he put in throughout the continental competition.

1. Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)

And finally, we have our best Nigerian football player in 2026 in Victor Osimhen. The most revered son in Nigerian football continues to shake the world with his talismanic presence and uncanny aura on the pitch.
Since moving to Galatasaray from Napoli, he has shown no sign of stopping. Scoring goals on almost every occasion has become his habit, inflicting psychological pain on opponents.
His elite mentality, movements, acceleration, and dribbling are like nightmares to defenders. His conspicuous qualities off the ball have drawn widespread talk of comparisons with the great Cristiano Ronaldo when it comes to movements without the ball. Osimhen is the attacker who defines the course of a generation and keeps his teams flying. One of the best Nigerian football players the world has ever seen.

One of the best AFCON players in the current times, the forward had a great run in the 2025 AFCON, scoring 4 goals in 6 games, but unfortunately, saw his team get knocked out of the competition on penalties by Morocco.