German midfielder Felix Nmecha has revealed that one of his earliest footballing ambitions was to play for Nigeria, inspired by an old Obafemi Martins jersey he owned as a child BoldSports reports.
In 2023, the 24-year-old Borussia Dortmund player received his first senior call-up to the German national team for their friendlies against Peru and Belgium. He went on to make his debut in the second game against Belgium in a 3-2 defeat. Since then he has made four appearances and scored one goal for the European giants.
Speaking to AfroBallers, Nmecha, who was also eligible to represent England, shared that his initial dream was to play for Nigeria and that he still feels a deep connection to the country despite now wearing German colours.
“When I was really young Nigeria was actually the first team I wanted to play for cause I remember my first shirt that I had was from Obafemi Martins and he was obviously Nigerian as well so that Nigerian shirt from him, had that in my mind.”
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“Obviously now it’s gone this direction where I’m now playing for Germany but I definitely still feel connected to the country like when it’s AFCON, I’m still supporting.”
Borussia Dortmund also has another player of Nigerian descent in their ranks — Carney Chukwuemeka. The 21-year-old midfielder, on loan from Chelsea, is still eligible to play for the Super Eagles as he is yet to make his official debut for England’s senior national team.
Nmecha expressed how meaningful it is to share the dressing room with another Nigerian player at Dortmund.
“I think for me it’s very special. I was speaking to him about it, we’ve never had two Igbo players play for Dortmund at the same time before. I’m very connected and close to my roots and where I come from. My dad is obviously Igbo and we share that passion for our people.”
Unlike Nmecha, it is still uncertain whether Carney Chukwuemeka will choose to play for the Super Eagles in the future. There had been speculation that he and fellow Chelsea youngster Lesley Ugochukwu were considering switching their international allegiance, but those reports have since been debunked.
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