The former Arsenal and Everton man has featured in the Premier League his entire career and has carved out his own legacy in the English top flight
Alex Iwobi has revealed that a powerful sense of cultural belonging, not footballing ambition, ultimately shaped his decision to represent Nigeria at international level, Soccernet.ng reports.
It has been ten years since Iwobi turned his back on the Three Lions to represent the Super Eagles, despite progressing through England’s youth system and breaking into Arsenal’s first team.
Born in Nigeria but raised in England, the former Arsenal midfielder was eligible to play for either nation and had already worn the Three Lions shirt at Under-16, Under-17 and Under-18 level.
By the time he was establishing himself in Arsène Wenger’s senior squad, an England call-up appeared a realistic possibility.
Instead, Iwobi chose Nigeria, a decision he says was sealed during a formative Under-23 trial with Nigeria, where the experience felt uncannily like returning home.
Speaking to NBC Sports, Iwobi explained the emotional moment that convinced him his future lay with the country of his birth.
“Don’t get me wrong, I loved playing for England, but when I went to Nigeria on the U-23s trial, the way people were talking was like how my mom and dad spoke. The food that we were eating — it was just like eating at home with my parents. Even the mannerisms and the music we listened to made me realize, yeah, this is where I belong.”
That year, 2015, proved pivotal. It was both Iwobi’s breakthrough into Arsenal’s first team and his formal switch of international allegiance. In October, he made his senior Nigeria debut, replacing Ahmed Musa in a friendly defeat to DR Congo in Belgium.
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From Arsenal and England’s youth ranks to a Super Eagles mainstay
Iwobi’s international story is one of transition rather than rejection. He had been a standout prospect within England’s youth setup, earning 11 caps across age-group levels and winning the 2011 Victory Shield. But Nigeria’s pull – cultural, emotional and familial – proved stronger.
The midfielder has since become emblematic of a growing generation of dual-national players raised in Europe but choosing Nigeria; often referred to as the “Innit Boys”.
Asked about playing alongside teammates with similar backgrounds, Iwobi highlighted both the early challenges and the strength that diversity has brought to the Super Eagles dressing room.
“At first, because I was one of the first guys to do it, I had to adapt to the [local] Nigerians. It was fun, but it’s amazing playing with guys like Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey, and some of the other people from London. Now there are a lot of us. We also share our experiences growing up and bring our European flair to the Nigerian talents. We can bring our knowledge, they bring their knowledge, and it works really well together. It’s a nice balance we have, but at the end of the day, we’re all Nigerians.”
Iwobi’s Nigeria career has spanned over a decade and several major tournaments. He featured in all three group games at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and has represented the Super Eagles at three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments – 2019, 2021, and 2023. He is set to make his fourth AFCON appearance in Morocco against Tanzania.
Nigeria finished third at the 2019 AFCON and runner-up at the 2023 tournament, where Iwobi played all seven matches as the Super Eagles fell to hosts Ivory Coast in the final.
There have been setbacks along the way. He was omitted from Nigeria’s final Olympic squad in 2016, missed qualifiers through injury in 2017, and received a costly red card at the 2021 AFCON.
Yet his contribution has remained significant, none more so than his goal against Zambia in October 2017, which secured Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018 World Cup.
In 2019, Iwobi publicly expressed his desire to emulate his uncle, Nigeria legend Jay-Jay Okocha, by winning the Africa Cup of Nations, a goal that still eludes him, but one that continues to define his commitment to the green and white.
For Iwobi, however, the decision has never been framed by regret. Instead, it has been about identity.
England helped shape the footballer he became. Nigeria, he says, gave him a sense of who he truly is.