Manchester City Star Faces Backlash From Nigerians Over Super Eagles Tattoo

Manchester City Star Faces Backlash From Nigerians Over Super Eagles Tattoo

Chukwu Ikechukwu
February 21, 2024 at 12:26 PM
In this article:
Manuel Akanji logo
M. Akanji
Manchester City logoDSwitzerland logo
Manchester City logo
Manchester City
England
27
Super Eagles logo
Super Eagles
South Africa
Nigeria logo
Nigeria
Nigeria
21
Switzerland logo
Switzerland
Switzerland
38
  • Manuel Akanji has come under fire for having a Super Eagles tattoo
  • The Man City defender was born in Switzerland to Nigerian parents
  • Akanji has represented the Euro country's national team since 2017

Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji has faced serious backlash from some Nigerians for having the Super Eagles logo tattooed on his arm while choosing to represent the Switzerland national team.

The 28-year-old defender was born to Nigerian parents in Switzerland. He has been representing the Swiss since 2017 and has featured in two FIFA World Cups for the country of his birth.

Manuel Akanji, Manchester City, Super Eagles, Nigeria
Manuel Akanji has faced heavy criticism from some angry Nigerians for having a Super Eagles tattoo. Photo by Dave Howarth.
Source: Getty Images

According to GOAL, the majority of Super Eagles fans feel it is just a show-off by the Manchester City star to have the logo tattooed while representing another nation and not Nigeria.

"Hypocritical doing, if he loves Nigeria that much why didn't he choose the Super Eagles? I guess he is having second thoughts but the Super Eagles are good to go with what they have. We have players who do not play for money, but the passion for the motherland," wrote Jeff Africa.

Another fan called on Akanji to lose the arm in question.

"And he couldn't represent his father's land? The best advice I can give him is he should better go & amputate that arm; It's of no use" said Ola Mj.

Akanji joined Premier League champions, Man City, signing a contract until 2027 for a reported fee of £15 million from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.

Akanji defends Super Eagles tattoo

Meanwhile, Akanji has insisted he feels Nigerian and has not forgotten his roots, which is the reason he drew the Super Eagles tattoo on his arm despite facing heavy backlash, Own Goal Nigeria reports.

The 27-year-old defender showed his love for his fatherland when he picked up a Nigerian flag thrown towards him and celebrated with it when Man City won the UEFA Champions League last season.

Akanji, who is born to Nigerian parents in the European country, has made 47 appearances for the Switzerland national team since making his debut in 2017.

Akanji shows off math skills

Earlier, Sports Brief also reported that Manchester City defender, Akanji has shown his brilliant mathematics skills in a video circulating online.

Before arriving to England, he was gaining a reputation as a maths prodigy, and based on the video, it is assumed he has lived up to that tag.

Authors
Chukwu Ikechukwu photo
Chukwu Ikechukwu
Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a journalist with over 9 years of experience in the Nigerian media industry. He has worked both in Radio (Today FM, Rhythm FM, Wish FM) and Television (Silverbird TV) as a Sports Analyst..