Absolutely! Several Nigerians have played for FC Barcelona, with at least two making appearances for the senior team.

Here is a blog post detailing the Nigerian presence at the iconic Spanish club.

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Nigerian Pride in Catalonia: The Super Eagles at FC Barcelona

The iconic Camp Nou, a cathedral of football, has played host to some of the greatest talents in the world. While names like Messi, Cruyff, and Ronaldinho are synonymous with FC Barcelona, you might be surprised to learn that a touch of Nigerian flair has also graced the hallowed grounds of the Catalan club.

Yes, a number of Nigerian footballers have worn the famous blaugrana colours!

The Pioneer and The Champion: Emmanuel Amunike

The first Nigerian to play for the Barcelona senior team was the legendary winger Emmanuel Amunike .

• When: 1996–2000
• Role: Left Winger
• Highlight: Amunike arrived at Barcelona as an established international star, having been named the 1994 African Footballer of the Year and scoring the winning goal in the 1996 Olympic final. During his time at Barça, despite being hampered by injuries, he was part of the squad that won two La Liga titles (1998, 1999), two Copa del Rey titles, and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.

Amunike’s transfer marked a significant moment, cementing his place in history as the first Nigerian to feature for one of the world’s biggest clubs.

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The Young Defender: Samuel Okunowo

Following closely in Amunike’s footsteps was young defender Samuel Okunowo.

• When: 1998–2001 (Senior team appearances in 1998-99)
• Role: Right-Back
• Highlight: Okunowo joined Barcelona at the age of 18. He was quickly integrated into the first-team squad by coach Louis van Gaal and made over 20 competitive appearances in the 1998–99 season, helping the club win the La Liga title. His raw talent and speed were notable, even sharing the pitch with legends like Rivaldo and Pep Guardiola.

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La Masia’s Unfulfilled Promise: Haruna Babangida

While not making a league appearance for the senior team, another Nigerian name inextricably linked with Barcelona is Haruna Babangida.

• When: 1998–2004 (mostly for Barça B)
• Role: Winger
• Highlight: Babangida joined the famed La Masia academy from Ajax at a very young age. His pace and skill led him to be tipped as a major star. He became the youngest player to debut for Barcelona B (at age 15) and even played with the first team in pre-season friendlies. Although he holds the record for most goals scored for the B team, he ultimately never broke through to make a competitive first-team debut and is often cited as a classic ‘wonderkid’ who didn’t quite make it at the top level.

From league titles to youth academy promise, Nigerians have certainly left their mark on FC Barcelona’s history. It’s a fantastic legacy that hopefully inspires the next generation of Nigerian talent to chase their dreams at Europe’s elite clubs.