After experiencing a sharp decline three times in a row, the Super Eagles have finally seen their squad market value rebound in the transfer market. Once ranked among the world’s most valuable football teams with a total value of €465.90 million in January, Nigeria’s national team saw their market value plummet to €252 million by July. This drop not only affected the team’s standing in global rankings but also reflected the absence of key players from crucial matches.
According to the latest report from Transfermarkt, the Super Eagles’ squad value has now risen to €281 million, marking a positive turn after months of decline. The previous dip in value was largely attributed to the absence of star striker Victor Osimhen from the squad during the last phase of the 2026 World Cup CAF qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic. In those matches, Nigeria managed to collect just one point out of a possible six, which contributed to a significant drop in their market value to €91 million, the second major decline for the team this year.
While Osimhen was once again absent from Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya earlier this month, the return of key players like Taiwo Awoniyi and Chidera Ejuke, coupled with the rising market value of Victor Boniface, helped bolster the team’s overall worth. As a result, the Super Eagles have not only seen a €30 million increase in their squad value but also moved up seven places in the global rankings, now sitting as the 19th most valuable national team in the world.
Although Nigeria has yet to reclaim its position as Africa’s most valuable national team—a title currently held by Morocco—they have climbed two steps to become the second most valuable team on the continent. This rise is a promising development for a squad filled with players who compete in Europe’s top leagues. Despite the upward trend, it is still somewhat surprising that the team’s market value remains at just €281 million, which translates to N500 billion based on Monday’s official exchange rate of N1,775 to the euro.
Back in July, the Super Eagles were ranked 26th with a squad value of €252 million. The recent €30 million increase is a welcome improvement, yet it underscores how much the absence of Victor Osimhen—who has a personal market value of €75 million—continues to impact the team. His omission from the Transfermarket valuation, combined with his absence on the pitch during Nigeria’s narrow win over Libya in Uyo, has been a significant factor in the team’s recent valuation struggles. Nonetheless, the Super Eagles are on an upward trajectory as they seek to climb further in both market value and global rankings.
