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Borussia Dortmund and Germany midfielder Felix Nmecha has revealed he once dreamed of representing Nigeria, drawing early inspiration from former Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins, Footynaija.com reports.
The 24-year-old, who was born in Hamburg to Nigerian parents, admitted in a recent interview with AfroBallers that his first footballing ambition was to wear the green and white of Nigeria after owning a cherished jersey once worn by Martins.
“When I was really young, Nigeria was actually the first team I wanted to play for ’cause I remember my first shirt that I had was from Obafemi Martins, and he was obviously Nigerian as well. So that Nigerian shirt from him — had that in my mind,” Nmecha said.
Despite the childhood connection, Nmecha opted to represent Germany and made his senior debut in March 2023 in a 3-2 friendly loss to Belgium. He has since won four caps, scoring once for Die Mannschaft.
“Obviously now it’s gone this direction where I’m now playing for Germany, but I definitely still feel connected to the country. Like when it’s AFCON, I’m still supporting.”
Felix Nmecha actually first considered playing for Nigeria because he loved his very first football jersey — an Obafemi Martins one.
— AfroBallers (@afroballers) June 24, 2025
STILL A PROUD NIGERIAN ️ pic.twitter.com/Zy7NcLtLHD
The Dortmund star also highlighted the significance of sharing a locker room with Chelsea loanee Carney Chukwuemeka, another midfielder of Nigerian descent.
“I was speaking to him about it — we’ve never had two Igbo players play for Dortmund at the same time before,” former Wolfsburg star Nmecha noted. “I’m very connected and close to my roots and where I come from. My dad is obviously Igbo and we share that passion for our people.”
Nmecha’s idol, Obafemi Martins played for Vfl Wolfsburg during the 2009-10 season, scoring six goals in 16 Bundesliga appearances.
