Samuel Chukwueze profile: Salary, net worth, house, cars

Samuel Chukwueze profile: Salary, net worth, house, cars
Credit: Icon Sport

Samuel Chukwueze is a Nigeria Super Eagles footballer who currently plays for Serie A giants AC Milan, and the Nigeria national football team.

Born on 22 May 1999 in Umuahia, Abia State, Samuel Chukwueze's journey from a Lagos academy player to a fearsome winger has captivated football fans worldwide, drawing comparisons to the legendary Arjen Robben.

Early life and rise through academies

Chukwueze's career took off after signing with Villarreal CF, where he showcased his exceptional left foot and remarkable dribbling skills, terrorizing opposing defenses. 

His performances for the club earned him a call-up to the Nigerian national team, following his impressive displays at the U-18 and U-20 levels.

Samuel Chukwueze in action for the Nigeria Super Eagles
Credit: Icon Sport

From an early age, Chukwueze displayed a passion for football, inspired by Nigerian footballing icon Austin “Jay Jay” Okocha.

Despite facing opposition from his family, who prioritized his education, Chukwueze's dedication to the sport prevailed. He overcame obstacles such as having his playing boots and training kit set on fire by his family, and relentlessly pursued his dream.

Chukwueze's football journey included stints at various academies, including Future Academy, New Generation Academy, and the Diamond Football League. 

It was at the Diamond Football League that he honed his skills as a winger and caught the attention of scouts during the Portuguese Iber Youth Cup in 2013.

Impressive rise in international football

The breakthrough moment for Chukwueze came during the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, where he played a pivotal role in Nigeria's triumph, alongside teammates Kelechi Nwakali and Victor Osimehin.

Chukwueze's impressive performances and goal-scoring prowess garnered interest from top European clubs, with Villarreal CF ultimately securing his services.

Chukwueze received his first call-up to the national team (Super Eagles) in October of 2018. And on 20 November 2018, he made his debut for Nigeria in a 0-0 friendly draw against Uganda.

In May 2019, he was named in Nigeria's 2019 Africa Cup of Nations squad, the first in his career. He went on to score against South Africa in the quarter-finals, his first Super Eagles goal.

In December 2023, Chukwueze was called up to represent Nigeria for the second time in  the AFCON. The Super Eagles went all the way to the finals but ultimately lost 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast in the final. Chukwueze failed to score in the tournament.

Overall, he has scored 5 goals for Nigeria in 36 caps.

Samuel Chukwueze club career

Villarreal

Chukwueze's journey at Villarreal CF was not without its challenges. He faced difficulties adapting to the Spanish language and culture, including the unfamiliarity of Spanish cuisine.

Nevertheless, his determination to succeed, combined with his exceptional skills, earned him a place in Villarreal's youth team, Juvenil A, and eventually led to his debut for the first team.

Samuel Chukwueze on the field for Villarreal
Credit: Icon Sport

AC Milan

After 207 appearances for Villarreal senior team across all competitions with 37 goals scored, Chukwueze left the Spanish club on 27 July 2023, to join Serie A club AC Milan on a contract worth €20m until 30 June 2028.

The Nigerian winger made his debut for AC Milan in their opening game of the 2023/24 Serie A season. He came on as a substitute in the 73rd minute for Christian Pulisic on 21 August 2023 in a game that ended 2-0 for Milan.

On 28 November 2023, Chukwueze scored his first goal for AC Milan against Borussia Dortmund in a Champions League group stage game that ended in a 3-1 defeat for Milan.

It was on 17 March 2024 that the Nigerian scored his first Serie A goal for the club after coming on as a substitute in a 3-1 win against Hellas Verona.

Samuel Chukwueze
Credit: Icon Sport

Stats, awards, and recognitions

Since his debut, Chukwueze has continued to make a name for himself with his direct dribbling and accurate finishes. His playing style, reminiscent of Arjen Robben's, has garnered attention and admiration from fans and experts alike.

He made his international debut for the Nigerian national team in 2018 and played a significant role in Nigeria's campaign at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, where he showcased his talents and became the tournament's youngest goalscorer.

Chukwueze's achievements and contributions to both club and country have been recognized with several accolades. He was named among UEFA's 2019/2020 Top 50 Players to Watch and was awarded the Nigeria Football Federation's Young Player of the Year for the 2017/18 season. 

In 2020/21, he lifted the UEFA Europa League with Villareal and won La Liga's Best African Player in the 2022/23 season.

Chukwueze made 227 appearances for both Villareal B and senior team and scored 41 goals, while he has made 27 appearances and scored 4 goals for the Super Eagles.

Chukwueze's salary and market value

Chukwueze's current market value is €25.00m; he is ranked number 4 among all players from Nigeria. His highest market value reached €30m on June 11, 2019. 

Samuel Chukwueze's salary as an AC Milan player according to Capology is €98,654 per week and €5,130,000 per annum excluding bonuses. These figures reflect the reward for his hard work and dedication to the sport.

Samuel Chukwueze net worth in 2024

Chukwueze is one of the richest Nigerian footballers as of 2024.

The former Villarreal CF winger got a huge raise after he switched over to AC Milan in the summer of 2023 which resulted in an increase in his net worth.

All thanks to his off-field sponsorships, endorsements, and an annual salary of over €5m, the 24-year-old is currently worth $6m in 2024. His net worth will definitely increase in the next couple of years.

Samuel Chukwueze family

Samuel Chukwueze family is rooted in Christian beliefs. Born to Mr. & Mrs. Chukwueze in Amaokwe Ugba Ibeku in Abia State, his family wanted him to go to school.

Chukwueze's stubbornness and determination to achieve his dream instead of attending school like his peers, made his parents to set his playing boots and training kits on fire, an act which didn't deter the young man.

After achieving his dreams, his parents can only look back at every thing they did to stop Chukwueze and realise that determination prevails over any other thing.

According to sources in the public domain, Chukwueze has two other siblings, a sister and a brother.

Chukwueze's cars, property, and personal life

Off the pitch, Chukwueze has managed to maintain a humble lifestyle despite his success. He has been spotted with a Mazda MX-5 Miata and was once mistakenly associated with a Ferrari.

However, he clarified that the expensive car in question did not belong to him, indicating his focus on his career rather than indulging in lavish displays of wealth.

Samuel Chukwueze awards and achievements

  • 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup
  • Bronze Boot Winner, FIFA U-17 World Cup: 2015
  • DFA: Most Influential Player of the Year 
  • MCL Cup: Most Valuable Player1X EUROPA LEAGUE SIEGER
  • 2022/2023 La Liga Santander African MVP Award winner

 

 

This article was most recently revised and updated 5 months ago

Joseph is a freelance writer who spends most of his time writing engaging football contents. Based in Nigeria, Joseph is a die-hard Real Madrid fan with over 8 years experience in the sports betting space. He has covered football match previews, predictions, and news across leagues in Africa and Europe.