Karim Adeyemi and David Alaba represented their Nigerian heritage at the UEFA Champions League final held at Wembley Stadium in England yesterday, Soccernet.ng reports.
Second-half goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior secured Real Madrid's remarkable 15th European title, defeating Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
Real Madrid’s dominance in European Cup finals continues, with their latest victory marking their ninth consecutive win and their sixth title in the past 11 seasons.
Despite this impressive record, luck played a role in their triumph as Dortmund, the underdogs, failed to capitalize on key opportunities in the first half.
Niclas Fuellkrug struck the post, and Germany-born Karim Adeyemi, of Nigerian heritage, missed a crucial one-on-one chance against Thibaut Courtois, leaving Dortmund to rue their missed chances.
Adeyemi and Alaba’s Love for Nigeria
Karim Adeyemi, born in Munich to a Nigerian father and a Romanian mother, has made his mark in German youth international football.
His footballing roots are influenced by both Munich and Ibadan, Nigeria, significantly shaping his connection with his Nigerian heritage.
“As I said, I think I have my roots here. My father is from here, and his heart is still here in Nigeria. Of course, my heart is also here in Nigeria,” he earlier told Soccernet.ng.
David Alaba, born in Vienna to George and Gina Alaba, has a sister named Rose May, who is a professional recording artist. His father, George, is a Yoruba prince from Ogere, Ogun State, Nigeria.
“Nigeria is my roots, my father is from there, and I hope I can visit Nigeria again soon,” he told Nigerian journalist Oma Akatugba.
Both stars carried their Nigerian heritage to the final of the prestigious tournament, with Alaba’s Madrid defeating Adeyemi’s Dortmund 2-0.
Four UCL Trophies Between Adeyemi and Alaba
Alaba, previously a player for Bayern Munich, won two Champions League trophies with them before moving to the Spanish giants, where he now has two more Champions League trophies, making four in total under his belt.
Twenty-two-year-old Adeyemi has not yet won any major European tournament medals, except for the UEFA European U-21 Championship trophy with Germany in 2021.
Dortmund’s potential win against Madrid in England yesterday would have made a difference for the young lad, but his efforts to score for his club proved futile.
