Nigeria ranked 5th World Largest 'Exporter' Of Footballers

 

Nigeria has been ranked as the biggest export of football players in Africa and the fifth in the world.

According to monthly report released by CIES Football Observatory only Brazil, Argentina, France and Serbia are ahead of the African giants on the ratings.

The CIES Football Observatory suggests that with 596 players scattered across the world, Nigeria is arguably Africa’s supplier of football talents to foreign countries.

The report reads: “Other African countries mentioned in this report are Senegal (10th in the world, 377), Cote d’Ivoire (11th, 370), Cameroon (12th, 366) and Ghana (13th, 365).

“In total, 18,660 foreign players of 194 origins were recorded in the leagues taken into account in the analysis.
“Footballers playing outside of their country of origin make up about 13% of squads.

“Five-time world champions Brazil remain the biggest exporters of footballers in the world as the report say they have 1,784 players plying their trade outside their country.

It explains further: “Brazilians are clearly ahead of Argentinians (929 players) and the French (758). These three nationalities alone account for almost 20% of foreigners present on a global level.

“Among the 15 countries exporting the most players are six European, five African and four South American nations.

“This is despite the recent below-par performances of their national team, Brazil remain an exporter country of footballers par excellence.

 “Brazilians are present in almost all of the countries studied, making them the only truly global workforce. However, no South American country is among the top five destinations of Brazilians.

“However, three of the five main destinations of Argentinians are to be found in South America.

“Similarly, the main countries to which French players migrate are geographically close to the home country.”
In spite of this report, most Nigerian stars scattered abroad are not regulars in their respective clubs, as they have always been victims of transfer speculations over loss of form or under-performance.