At just 17, Honest Ahanor has become one of Serie A’s most fascinating young stories.
A prodigious, poised, left-footed defender, Ahanor has burst into Europe’s elite football with the grace and confidence of a veteran.
His rise has been meteoric and magical; from Genoa’s youth ranks to Atalanta’s Champions League starting XI, all before his 18th birthday.
Yet, while his football speaks volumes, it is the tug-of-war over his international future that has set the stage for another intriguing football sagas.
It is a thrilling race between Nigeria and Italy for one of the brightest defensive talents of his generation.
Honest Ahanor: The making of a modern defender
Born in Aversa, Italy, to Nigerian parents, Honest Ahanor embodies the evolution of the modern full-back: strong, technical, versatile, and tactically intelligent.
Standing at 1.84m, he combines explosive pace with defensive composure, making him as comfortable defending against wingers as he is launching attacks down the flank. In Genoa’s youth setup, he was the calm conductor at the back, capable of reading the game two steps ahead. Scouts often describe him as a mix between Gvardiol and Nuno Mendes; comparisons that hint at his potential ceiling.
When Atalanta paid €16 million to sign him in July 2025, it felt like the official confirmation that Italy’s next big defensive hope had arrived.
Within months, he broke records: the youngest player born in 2008 to start in Serie A, and then, the youngest Italian-born player ever to start a Champions League match.
Except, here’s the twist: he isn’t Italian. Not yet.
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Nigeria vs Italy: A bureaucratic tug-of-war
Despite being born and raised in Italy, Honest Ahanor remains Nigerian by nationality. Italian law no longer automatically grant citizenship to children born in the country to foreign parents.
He can only apply after turning 18, in February 2026. Until then, he is fully Nigerian in FIFA’s books, and therefore eligible for the Super Eagles.
That bureaucratic quirk gives Nigeria a rare, precious advantage in the international race for his allegiance. The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) can call him up immediately, while Italy must wait. Although, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Italy’s football federation (FIGC) is “treating Ahanor’s citizenship as its top priority.”
Reports suggest Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso has personally taken interest in the Atalanta teenager, planning to invite him for Italy’s March 2026 training camp once his passport is ready.
That’s a ticking clock for Nigeria.
Why Nigeria need Ahanor more than Italy
While Italy has the luxury of depth, with defenders like Alessandro Bastoni, Riccardo Calafiori, and Alessandro Buongiorno already entrenched in the national setup, Nigeria’s left side of defence remains a vulnerable point.
Zaidu Sanusi, though experienced, has recently been plagued by injuries. Bruno Onyemaechi and Felix Agu have shown flashes, but neither has fully convinced.
Ahanor, meanwhile, offers something altogether different: youth, athleticism, tactical intelligence, and balance between defence and attack. His performances for Atalanta already show maturity beyond his years. In truth, if Nigeria were bold enough, he could start for the Super Eagles today and it wouldn’t look out of place.
With the World Cup playoffs resuming next month and the Africa Cup of Nations coming up in December, Nigeria desperately need a reliable, modern full-back to complement their attacking depth. Ahanor fits that profile perfectly and his addition could anchor the left side for the next decade.
Ahanor: What Nigeria must do now
The window of opportunity is narrow. Once Ahanor turns 18, Italy will have the legal right to process his citizenship, and with Gattuso’s admiration and Atalanta’s influence, he could be fast-tracked into Italy’s U21 or even senior setup. Nigeria must act decisively.
That means more than just a phone call. The NFF, along with head coach Eric Chelle, should send clear signals: a visit, a detailed development plan, maybe even a symbolic invitation to the senior camp. The gesture would show intent and respect, two things young players never forget.
Footballing identity is emotional. Players like Bukayo Saka, Fikayo Tomori, and Tammy Abraham chose England not just because of opportunity, but because of early engagement and a sense of belonging. Nigeria cannot afford to wait until February to make their case.
At heart, Ahanor is a boy who grew up idolising Paolo Maldini but carries his Nigerian roots proudly. His parents reportedly still speak Igbo at home, and his social media posts reflect pride in both cultures. For a generation of young Nigerian-Italian footballers, from Destiny Udogie to Michael Kayode, his decision will resonate deeply.
Whether he wears green and white or blue, Honest Ahanor is destiny to be a success story. But if Nigeria moves swiftly and sincerely, this might just be one race they can win and one that could redefine the Super Eagles’ defence for years to come.