10 fun facts about Noni Madueke

Noni Madueke, born on March 10, 2002, is a talented English footballer who excels as both a winger and attacking midfielder. He has showcased his skills for various clubs and national teams throughout his career. Madueke initially began his football journey at Crystal Palace’s academy when he was just nine years old.

However, at the age of 12, he made a significant move to Tottenham Hotspur, another prominent London club. During his time at Spurs, he played for their U16 and U18 teams, even captaining the former. In 2018, Madueke decided to embark on a new adventure and joined the Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven. After spending two years in PSV’s academy, he made his debut for the senior team in 2020, during a match against VVV-Venlo that ended in a 1-1 draw.

The 2020-21 season proved to be a breakthrough for Madueke as he established himself as a key player in PSV’s first team, starting regularly. Throughout the season, he contributed nine goals and eight assists in 32 games, showcasing his immense talent and potential. In the following campaign, Madueke continued to impress, delivering remarkable performances, including a standout display against rivals Ajax in the Johan Cruyff Shield. Here are 10 fan facts about him.

1. He’s of Nigerian descent

Madueke, although born and raised in England and having played for their youth teams, possesses Nigerian ancestry passed down from his parents, whose roots can be traced back to Nigeria. Interestingly, as he has not yet earned a senior cap with England, he remains eligible to represent Nigeria, a prospect that has piqued the interest of the African nation since his days in the academy.

2. Idolises Cristiano Ronaldo

Madueke, like numerous aspiring footballers, revealed in an interview with Sky Sports that he draws inspiration from Cristiano Ronaldo, the renowned Manchester United icon and Al-Nassr star. When questioned about the player he admires the most from his childhood, Madueke expressed his admiration for Ronaldo’s exceptional skills and adopted his confident attitude. He aspires to emulate his idol by showcasing remarkable performances on the field and backing up his self-assurance.

3. Started playing football at an Early age

Madueke began his football journey at a young age, joining Crystal Palace’s academy at the tender age of nine. He spent three fruitful years honing his skills with the Eagles before making a switch to their rival club, Tottenham Hotspur.

At Tottenham, Madueke’s progress was swift as he swiftly climbed the ranks of their youth system. He even had the honor of captaining the U16 side and representing the U18 team when he was just 15 years old. In 2018, he made a significant move to PSV Eindhoven, seeking greater chances to showcase his talents at the first-team level.

4. Roger Schmidt made him a better player

Madueke attributes his growth as a footballer to the influence of Roger Schmidt, the former PSV Eindhoven manager and current Benfica boss. According to Madueke, Schmidt played a significant role in enhancing his off-the-ball skills, specifically in terms of pressing opponents and swiftly regaining possession to initiate another attacking move. As a result, Madueke has evolved into a more refined player compared to his initial days when he debuted for the senior team at PSV Eindhoven.

5. Used to be a central midfielder

Madueke has established himself as one of the most thrilling talents on the wing in global football today. In his early days at the academy, he predominantly operated as a central midfielder. However, at the age of 16, the aspiring Chelsea winger made a successful transition to the forward line. Perhaps, if Madueke ever contemplates returning to his roots as a central midfielder, Chelsea could discover the creative spark they have been missing in the heart of the pitch!

6. Hazard is his favourite Chelsea player

During his initial in-depth interview with Chelsea, Madueke was questioned about his preferred player from the Blues squad. Without hesitation, he named none other than the sensational Eden Hazard, who shines brightly at Stamford Bridge. The talented English winger acknowledged the resemblances between himself and the Belgian maestro, but humbly admitted that he still has a long way to go before he can match Hazard’s extraordinary level of skill and success at Chelsea.

7. Supported Manchester United as a child

Madueke’s admiration for Ronaldo blossomed from his unwavering support for Manchester United during his childhood, where he religiously watched their matches week after week. As fate would have it, the talented winger from PSV Eindhoven would eventually find himself under the guidance of another Manchester United icon, Ruud van Nistelrooy, who served as his coach during his time at the PSV academy.

8. He surprisingly rejected to play for Manchester United

In 2018, it was surprising to see the Chelsea winger reject an offer from the club he loved as a child. Despite wanting more playing time away from Tottenham Hotspur, Madueke felt that joining Manchester United would result in a similar situation to what he had experienced at Spurs.

9. He can play for England or Nigeria internationally

Madueke possesses the eligibility to represent either England or Nigeria in football. Born in England, he has showcased his skills at the youth level for England, even scoring two goals in a qualifier against Denmark under-17. Additionally, he was a valuable member of the squad during the 2019 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. Furthermore, owing to his Nigerian heritage, he is also qualified to play for the Nigeria national football team.

10. An attentive player

According to Roger Schmidt, Madueke’s manager at PSV, Madueke possesses the ability to analyze situations, find the optimal positions, and be at the right place at the right time. The BBC characterized him as a dynamic, strong, and adaptable attacker who draws inspiration from Cristiano Ronaldo.