All parents want their children to be footballers… and 99.8% of those who start never are. In case of Samu Chukwueze It is unusual because his mother punished him for not playing soccer and wanted him to study to be a doctor. Although he would like to be a lawyer in the future. At the moment, he is the fashionable player of LaLiga at 23 years old and one of the best dribblers on the football planet.
Cheerful, extroverted, like when he faces rival defenders and dodges them one by one with astonishing ease. Samu distributes joy and smiles left and right. He is one of the references of the New Gen that seems to ensure a rosy future for Villarreal. His name is on the agenda of the greats of Europe.
The Nigerian winger from Villarreal, on the eve of his match this Saturday against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu, offers his other face outside of football in an interview with Mediterraneanfrom the Prensa Ibérica group, held in one of the most emblematic places in the province of Castellón: Torreón de Benicàssim beach.
The beginnings of Chukwueze
Samu, how did your football adventure start in Nigeria?
When I was very young I already had fun playing soccer as I do now. My mother didn’t let me play a lot, because she believed that she had to go to school and study. One day they organized a test in my city and my mother did not let me go. However, my grandmother told me: ‘You have to go and try. If it goes well, you continue. If it doesn’t happen, you go home.’ My mother did not allow it. She closed the door. I was inside the house and my grandmother opened it for me to come out and she told me to go and I went away. I joined the team and traveled to Portugal. It was the first time I left my city. It was the year 2013, I remember.
And did you end up convincing the family that you could be a footballer?
I played soccer at an academy near home and my mother didn’t like it at all. You know how African mothers are, they think you have to study and go to school. They don’t believe in football, only in studies. One day she got angry with me and burned my football boots and kit. She told me that she couldn’t play soccer and that I should focus on my studies, but I was more stubborn than her.
Did he get very angry?
One day he told me to come home at six and it was late with training. She got very angry and when I saw that my boots weren’t there I started crying like a child. Well, it really was.
What made your life turn towards soccer?
My grandmother was the main reason for me to be able to play soccer and be who I am today. I managed to get into a list of players for the U-17 team, but I couldn’t be in the final. In the next one they already called me and I was able to go to the World Cup in Chile in 2015. There I scored the fastest goal of the tournament, I was bronze boot and Nigeria, world champion.
Any history of a footballer in the family?
Yes, my grandfather played in the Nigerian league, he was not a professional but football was his passion and I think he transferred it to me.
And did you have a fleeting visit to England?
Yes, from the World Cup I went to Arsenal to sign a contract, but it got complicated because they didn’t reach an agreement with my academy. I went through Salzburg and Porto before being lucky enough to come to Villarreal. And I signed a pre-contract at the age of 17. They told me that I had to return at the age of 18 before signing the final contract as a professional. I said, ‘Okay, no problem.’ I returned to Nigeria and started training with my academy again.
His arrival at Villarreal
Since you arrived at Villarreal, has everything been very fast?
Yes, but when I came to Villarreal at the age of 18, I spent half a season without playing because despite the fact that I trained with the youth team, there was a delay in signing up. I played with youth A from January to April and made the jump to Villarreal B. After 15 games with the reserve team I moved to the first team. All of this happened in one year.
And he called the absolute selection of Nigeria.
I made my debut with the national team and then played again with the first team. My first goal was against Rayo Vallecano. When I scored, I felt tremendously happy. For me it was an honor to do it in an important game. I remember my debut with the first team was against Rangers in the Europa League. I was a bit nervous. I said to myself: ‘Can you imagine?’ Me playing in a big stadium where I used to watch the players from the stands. Now I’m inside and everyone is looking at me. What nerves!
Did playing for your country’s national team at such a young age surprise you?
Yes, a lot because he had only played two games with the Villarreal first team. I called all my family and told them. It was a huge satisfaction for everyone.
Over time, have you managed to convince your mother?
Yes, it’s true, because he only wanted me to study and now he watches all my games and travels many times to see me. He has totally changed, but he keeps insisting that I go to university, but yes, now he likes football, although he can’t get it out of his head to study and he often repeats it to me.
In Nigeria, Chukwueze is already a popular personality thanks to his performances for Villarreal.
Even my mother can’t walk alone on the street. She has to be at home because they are all over her. And she tells me: ‘Because of you I’m locked up at home’. In Nigeria I have to walk safely on the street because I couldn’t be calm.
Was Samu a good student?
Yes, I think it was. I wanted to be a lawyer and in the future I hope to be able to study that career, although my mother prefers that I study medicine, because she is a nurse and my sister studies medicine in London, but well, one day I hope to study to be a lawyer, but right now I am very focused on football.
It has adapted very well to Spain.
I like the food, the people and the good weather. I am happy in Castellón and I know how to live wonderfully. People treat me well. It is a nice place to live.
The future of Chukwueze
Do you know that there is half of Europe that follows you and many important clubs interested in you?
Yes, it can be, but that doesn’t worry me right now. Only Villarreal and achieving the goals we have set for this season.
Contract ends in 2024. Upcoming renewal?
I think if all goes well, we will renew. We are in that process.
He is part of a batch of young players who have been pressing hard and are the future of Villarreal.
They are very good footballers, but next to them there are also older players from whom I learn a lot, such as Parejo or Albiol.
What they say? Do they scold you?
With Dani (Parejo) I always fight. He scolds me a lot and he tells me: ‘Samu when you catch the ball if the first dribble doesn’t come out, the second time you give it to me. Listen to me’. Near him I learn because his advice is always good.
The goal of the Champions League or the Europa League is within reach.
I want to be in the Champions League next year because it is the most important competition. There are only 11 games left and it’s still in our hands.
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Do you have a hard time sleeping one night after a game?
Especially when we lose, there are days I don’t sleep. I don’t like losing anything. My blood does not accept not winning well. You have to win and win.
