Four Nigerian stars have earned spots among the world’s 300 most influential footballers for the 2024–25 season, the CIES Football Observatory revealed today. Leading the pack is Fulham midfielder Alex Iwobi, ranked 37th globally with an impressive index score of 87.4.
Iwobi, 29, featured in all 38 Premier League fixtures this term—becoming the first Nigerian to do so in two separate seasons—while tallying nine goals and six assists. His balanced attacking threat saw him create 12 “big chances,” average 1.6 key passes per game and maintain an 80 percent passing accuracy. Equally adept with either foot, Iwobi struck four times with his left and five with his right.
Close behind is Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, 26, placed 48th with a score of 86.7. The reigning African Footballer of the Year notched 15 Serie A goals and five assists, and his hat‑trick in last season’s Europa League final helped secure Atalanta’s first major European trophy. Lookman’s performances have attracted reported interest from Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool.
On the attacking front, Victor Osimhen—currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli—claimed the 159th spot with a score of 81.0, ranking 20th among centre‑forwards. He set a Turkish league record by netting 37 goals in all competitions, and his CIES “finishing” score of 86 ranks ninth worldwide.
Defender Calvin Bassey rounds out the Nigerian quartet at 257th overall and 49th among centre‑backs. The 25‑year‑old Fulham stalwart, recently linked with Barcelona, featured in 35 Premier League games, boasted 90 percent pass accuracy, won 62 percent of his duels and averaged nearly five recoveries per match.
The CIES index evaluates players across the top 60 leagues on six pillars—aerial play, ground defence, distribution, take‑ons, chance creation and finishing—as well as minutes played and team impact. Leading the overall ranking was Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, followed by Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Pedri González.
With four Nigerians named among the globe’s finest influencers on the pitch, the country’s footballing profile continues to rise on the world stage.