Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has a plethora of Europe-based strikers to choose from, but he could soon lose one of them, Soccernet.ng reports.
This is as Valencia forward Sadiq Umar has revealed that he is considering retiring from international football at just 29 years of age.
The former Almeria man has been out of the Super Eagles fold since the World Cup qualifiers in March 2025. Although he was invited to the camp for the games against Zimbabwe and Rwanda, he remained an unused substitute for both matches. The last time Sadiq featured for the Super Eagles was in November 2024.
Last season, he contributed seven goals and five assists in 29 appearances for Valencia and Real Sociedad. He played a key role in helping Los Che avoid relegation, contributing three crucial goals in the final seven games of the campaign.
That run of performance was expected to earn him a place in Nigeria’s Unity Cup squad, or at least inclusion for the matches against Poland and Portugal. However, he was snubbed, while strikers like Owen Oseni and Rafiu Durosinmi were called up instead
Why Sadiq Umar is Considering Retirement From Super Eagles
Speaking in an interview on Monday, Sadiq expressed his frustration regarding his continued omission by coach Eric Chelle. However, he noted that he understands the depth of Nigeria's talent pool and acknowledges that he might not fit the specific profile of the striker the coach currently prefers.
The 29-year-old confirmed that he has not made a final decision yet. Instead, he intends to wait until the new season begins before assessing his best options.
”Maybe I am thinking of retiring from the national team, God willing. But once this season starts, I will sit down, think for myself, and see what I will do next,” Sadiq stated.
”Honestly, I cannot say what caused this. I can only say, let's look forward to the next World Cup in four years; may God get us there alive and healthy.”
”It's not just about the players, but also the welfare of the players, right? If everyone involved in Nigerian football—the management and those handling player welfare—comes together, I think everything can change.”
He added, “They didn't call me, that is the reason. Maybe they don't want someone with my profile, right? There are other players who are also trying, and Nigeria is a country that God has blessed with many footballers. It didn't fall on me, and that is why I am not in the team.”
Sadiq also revealed that a major motivation for his potential retirement is to manage his body properly to ensure a long career like 41-year-old Portuguese icon Cristiano Ronaldo.
”There is still time, that's why I said when we enter this upcoming season, God willing, I will sit and think about what will be best for me to help me focus on my career so that I can also have a long career like Ronaldo's.”
The new football season begins in August, and Sadiq will be hoping to start the campaign on a high note with Valencia. Since he started playing in the Spanish top division four years ago, he has struggled with injuries and loss of form, which has left him with 15 goals and five assists in 79 games.
Nonetheless, Valencia seems to be home for him. A strong start could see Sadiq earn a recall to the national squad for the international window in September.
