Over the years football has gained more recognition, especially because of the rapid influx of money into the game. Many parents now send their children to football academies to learn to play football with the that they would eventually become successful professionals.
However, this wasn’t the case years ago, as many Nigerians regarded as a sport for unserious people. Many players have revealed how their parents tried to stop them from playing football before they finally got their breakthrough.
Super Eagles star Samuel Chukwueze falls into this category, as he admits his mother tried everything possible to stop him from playing football, but he prevailed.
“My mom did not want me to play football. In Africa, everyone focuses on school, and she used to say ‘football will never make you money,” Chukwueze said, per football italia.
“But I was born with football inside me. I would play until seven in the evening, and when I came home, she would punish me. She would take my football shoes and confiscate them, so I had to hide them.
“The problem was she always found them. Once, she burned my shoes and shirts and told me, ‘Samuel, you need to focus on your studies.’ I tried, but a part of me was switched off.”
Although his mother is highly supportive of him, Chukwueze admits that she still wants him to study and become a medical doctor.
“The funny thing is, in Africa, you don’t change your mind. She still wants me to study, wants me to be a doctor, maybe a doctor in football. I wanted to be a lawyer, but she said, ‘No, no, doctor. You need to study pharmacy,” Chukwueze added.
Chukwueze has had a brilliant pre-season with AC Milan, registering two assists and a goal in four appearances. He will be looking to put up a strong showing when the Serie A begins to power the Rossoneri to the Scudetto.
