“The man is a machine”: Super Eagles star goes clear of Liverpool’s Diaz, Mane, and Salah; fans gush in praise

No one has been more consistent and committed than the Nigeria international during a rigorous campaign for club and country

Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo has featured in 70 games this season for Nigeria and Rangers, the most of any footballer in the world at the moment.

Aribo hit the 70-match mark on Thursday during the Super Eagles 2-1 win over Sierra Leone at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

The 25-year-old amassed 57 matches for Rangers on the domestic and continental scenes, scoring nine goals and supplying ten assists.

Aribo also made 13 appearances for Nigeria, spread across the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon (3), 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers (7), friendlies (2), and that 2023 Afcon qualifier against the Leone Stars.

That last match takes Aribo beyond Liverpool’s trio of Colombian forward Luis Diaz (69), Senegal’s star Sadio Mane (67), and Egyptian icon Mohamed Salah (66), as well as Guatemala’s attacking midfielder Óscar Santis (68), and Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel (67).

No other Nigerian international made the top 100 chart of players with the most appearances this term.

Several football fans are astounded by Aribo’s undeniable quality, robot-like consistency, and unquestionable commitment.

And many took to the comment section of a post by journalist Sulaiman Folarin on Aribo to express their affection for the Rangers ace. Some supporters, however, called on the former Charlton Athletic lad to find time to get adequate rest ahead of next season.

Having featured in all of head coach Jose Peseiro’s three games in charge of the Super Eagles so far, Joe Aribo is in line to make his 71st appearance when Nigeria face Sao Tome and Principe at the Stade d’Agadir in Morocco on Monday, June 13.