When the CIES Football Observatory, a Swiss-based football research body known for its deep data analysis, unveiled its latest global rankings of young talents, one name from Nigeria echoed across the football world - Sani Suleiman. The 19-year-old midfielder was rated the most creative under-21 player in world football, a recognition that instantly catapulted him from promising prospect to global spotlight.
For Suleiman, the journey to this point has been nothing short of extraordinary, a tale of raw talent, fearless ambition, and relentless hard work. Born in 2006 in northern Nigeria, he first caught attention in local football circles for his quick feet, effortless dribbles, and an eye for threading impossible passes. Coaches described him as a “visionary on the pitch,” the kind of player who could turn a tight defensive wall into a scoring opportunity with one flick of the ball.
His rise began with Wikki Tourists, where his performances as a teenager defied expectations. A transfer to Akwa United soon followed, and it was there that he exploded, scoring 11 goals in 19 appearances while orchestrating the team’s attack with poise far beyond his years. Scouts from Europe took notice, and before long, Suleiman found himself in Slovakia with AS Trenčín, a club renowned for developing young African talents.
In Slovakia, Suleiman didn’t take long to make his mark. In just seven matches of the 2025/26 season, he had already scored twice and provided two assists. But beyond the numbers, what impressed analysts most were the underlying statistics that define true creativity: almost two key passes per game, a high expected-assist (xA) rate, and strong dribbling success in tight spaces. According to data from FootyStats, he averages around 0.66 goal contributions per 90 minutes, an impressive figure for a player adapting to European football at such a young age.
CIES researchers evaluated under-21 players globally using seven performance metrics - aerial duels, finishing, assists, take-ons, orchestration, build-up play, and defensive ground duels. In all, Suleiman ranked among the best across the board, earning him the distinction of being the “most complete U-21 winger” in the world. His balance of flair and work rate places him in rare company.
For context, some of his contemporaries include Spain’s teenage phenomenon Lamine Yamal of Barcelona, averaging over one goal or assist per match and France’s Désiré Doué, a rising midfield star at Paris Saint-Germain. Compared to these names, Suleiman’s statistics may come from a smaller European league, but his creative output and all-round influence on the pitch show a player capable of reaching similar heights with time and experience.
It is little wonder that clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, Rangers, Bayer Leverkusen, and Brighton & Hove Albion have reportedly been monitoring his progress. His performances at the FIFA U-20 World Cup further enhanced his reputation, where he was one of Nigeria’s standout players, registering an assist and consistently creating chances against tougher opposition.
Beyond the numbers and attention, however, lies a deeper significance for Nigerian football. The Super Eagles have long been known for their physicality and speed, but creativity in midfield has sometimes been their missing ingredient. Suleiman’s emergence hints at a new era, one where Nigeria produces not just athletes, but artists of the game.
His playing style is reminiscent of the rare blend of discipline and daring. He thrives on taking on defenders, yet remains focused on team play. In interviews, he’s described as humble, focused, and hungry, attributes that will serve him well as he continues his climb through the football ladder.
For Sani Suleiman, being ranked the most creative young footballer in the world is both a triumph and a challenge. The recognition affirms what those close to him have always known, that Nigeria’s next great playmaker has arrived but it also sets a new standard for consistency, professionalism, and adaptation to the pressures that come with global attention.
If he continues on this trajectory, maintaining his creative spark and work ethic, Suleiman could soon become more than a name on a ranking list, he could become the heartbeat of a new generation of Nigerian footballers redefining the game with intelligence, flair, and artistry.
A star has emerged, not just for Nigeria, but for world football. And his name is Sani Suleiman!
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