Marwin Olawale Akinlabi on Sunday night, September 20, recorded his name in the history books as the first player of Nigerian descent to play for Real Madrid in topflight match.
The 20-year-old came on as a substitute in the 70th minute for Real Madrid in their Spanish La Liga tough 0-0 encounter with Real Sociedad. Real Madrid who are the reigning champions of Spain did not start the defense of their title on a good note as they failed to register any goal or victory. In the history of Los Blancos, no Nigerian has ever played for the side unlike other big clubs in Europe where Nigerians have played.
Marwin Olawale Akinlabi was actually born in Spain and the Real Madrid star has a Nigerian father and a Korean mother. He represented the Spain U19 team once in a friendly 3–0 loss against Italy U19 on January 16, 2019 in a tough battle.
Akinlabi started his football career at Clutat de Palma in the year 2006 and was at the club for three years before he left for Tranmere Rovers.
The attacking midfielder joined Real Madrid youth team in 2016 before graduating to the senior team under manager Zinedine Zidane. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Football Federation may now be looking for how they would make Akinlabi to play for the Super Eagles.
BY Jennifer Ugwueke