Chido Obi-Martin, a Nigerian-born Denmark U18 international and rising football talent, has proclaimed himself as the best player in the world in his age group, according to Nigerian talent spotter Paul Aladejare, who scouted him before his move to Arsenal.
Born in 2007 to Nigerian parents, Obi-Martin joined Manchester United during the summer transfer window, turning down a scholarship offer from Arsenal. Since his move, he has featured for both the U18 team and the development squad at United.
Paul Aladejare told The Athletic, via PLBold, “He believes he is the best player in the world in his age group. That is his mentality.”
Obi-Martin’s confidence places him among a cohort of remarkable teenage talents, including Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri, and Brazil’s Estêvão, each celebrated for their extraordinary abilities.
Yamal, a key player in Spain’s victorious 2024 European Championship campaign, is already a first-team regular for Barcelona and has won accolades including the Golden Boy award, the Kopa Trophy, and an eighth-place finish in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings.
Ethan Nwaneri, an England U19 international of Nigerian descent, became the youngest player to debut in the Premier League at just 15 years and 181 days. Meanwhile, Brazil’s Estêvão has drawn comparisons to Neymar and earned four senior international caps in 2024.
Obi-Martin’s credentials are no less impressive. During his time in the U18 Premier League, he became the league’s all-time top scorer with an astounding 37 goals in 25 matches. While he has yet to make his professional debut, he trained with Arsenal’s first team before his move to Manchester United.
