In a major recognition of Nigeria’s rising football talent, Daniel Daga and three other Nigerian prospects have been named among the Top 60 young players in the world for 2024 by UK-based publication The Guardian.
The prestigious list celebrates emerging stars under the age of 20, placing the spotlight on future global football icons, including Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.
At just 17 years old, Daga is already regarded as one of Nigeria’s finest young players. The Enyimba FC midfielder has earned comparisons to Leicester City and Super Eagles stalwart Wilfred Ndidi for his tireless work rate, powerful presence in midfield, and ability to break up play.
Daga, who turns 18 in December, made headlines as Nigeria’s youngest player at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. His standout performances in Argentina elevated his status as a key figure for the national team and a future star. Despite receiving interest from Liverpool, Daga remains loyal to Enyimba, where he has shown leadership beyond his years by captaining the club. The young midfielder will be missed by the Flying Eagles at the WAFU U-20 Championship after he missed out due to passport issues.
The Guardian praised Daga’s athleticism and leadership qualities, stating:
“It is only a matter of time before this young superstar announces himself to a wider audience.”
With European clubs monitoring his progress closely, Daga is expected to follow in the footsteps of many Nigerian stars by moving to Europe with Molde already securing a pre-contract agreement.
Other Nigerian Talents in the Top 60 List
Joining Daga on this year’s list are three other exceptional players of Nigerian descent, each making their mark across Europe.
- Chido Obi-Martin:
The newly signed Manchester United wonderkid swapped Arsenal for Old Trafford in the summer of 2024. Known as a prolific goal scorer, Obi-Martin netted 32 goals in 18 matches for Arsenal’s U17 side and once scored 10 goals in a single game against Liverpool’s U16 team. - Francis Onyeka:
Currently excelling at Bayer Leverkusen, Onyeka has become a standout in the UEFA Youth League and was instrumental for Germany’s U17s in the European Championship qualifiers, where he scored five goals in six games. While he is a German youth international, Onyeka remains eligible to represent Nigeria at the senior level. - Kenneth Adejenughure:
The Red Bull Salzburg prodigy has already attracted interest from top European clubs, including Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan. Adejenughure’s performances at the U17 European Championship — where he scored four goals for Austria — have cemented his reputation as one of Austria’s top young talents.
Sharing the spotlight with Lamine Yamal, who has taken the football world by storm with Barcelona and the Spanish national team, these Nigerian youngsters are poised to shape the future of football at both club and international levels.
