FACT CHECK: Emmanuel Amunike, Not Karim Adeyemi, Was the First Nigerian to Play for Barcelona

FACT CHECK: Emmanuel Amunike, Not Karim Adeyemi, Was the First Nigerian to Play for Barcelona

FACT CHECK: Emmanuel Amunike, Not Karim Adeyemi, Was the First Nigerian to Play for Barcelona

Recent reports claiming that Karim Adeyemi is the first Nigerian to play for FC Barcelona are incorrect.

The honour belongs to Emmanuel Amunike, who joined Barcelona from Egypt’s Zamalek SC in 1996. He played for the Catalan club until 2000, making official appearances and scoring one competitive goal. He was later followed by Gbenga Okunowo, who became the second Nigerian to play for Barcelona.

Although Karim Adeyemi has recently signed for Barcelona, he represents Germany at international level, not Nigeria. He has played for Germany’s youth teams and senior national team.

Therefore, while Adeyemi has Nigerian heritage through his father, Emmanuel Amunike remains the first Nigerian international to play for FC Barcelona, and, as of now, the only player to have represented Nigeria at senior international level while also playing for the club.