Data Shows Nigeria Outranks African Rivals in Global Player Export Rankings

Data Shows Nigeria Outranks African Rivals in Global Player Export Rankings

By Admin 

Nigeria has emerged as Africa’s leading exporter of professional footballers, according to new data released by analytics platform Statisense.

The data ranks Nigeria ninth worldwide among the top 15 countries producing and exporting football players to leagues across the globe, making it the highest-ranked African nation on the list. Brazil tops the global rankings, followed by France, Argentina, England and Spain.

Nigeria’s position reflects its long-standing reputation as a prolific source of football talent, with players plying their trade across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas. Nigerian footballers are currently represented in elite competitions such as the English Premier League, Italy’s Serie A, Spain’s La Liga, Germany’s Bundesliga and France’s Ligue 1, as well as in emerging European markets including Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.

The country’s strong showing underscores the effectiveness of its football development pipeline, which spans grassroots clubs, school competitions and private academies. Many young Nigerian players move abroad early in their careers, often passing through leagues in Belgium, Croatia and Serbia—countries that have become recognised gateways to Europe’s top divisions.

Recent transfer windows have further reinforced Nigeria’s prominence. Several Super Eagles internationals and youth prospects have secured moves to European clubs, renewed contracts or earned promotions within their teams, highlighting sustained demand for Nigerian talent.

Nigeria’s profile was further elevated by the Super Eagles’ run to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, concluded in early 2024. The tournament attracted renewed attention from international scouts, with players such as Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman drawing significant interest for their performances.

While Nigeria sits ninth globally, it ranks well ahead of fellow African powerhouse Ghana, which placed 14th. Although Ghana maintains a strong footballing tradition and continues to export players abroad, Nigeria’s larger population and extensive academy network provide a broader talent pool.

The top 15 countries by number of exported footballers are Brazil, France, Argentina, England, Spain, Colombia, Germany, Croatia, Nigeria, Serbia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Uruguay, Ghana and Belgium.