Manuel Akanji and Super Eagles: Manchester City star shows off Nigerian tattoo

After the AFCON, Manchester City star Manuel Akanji shows off his Super Eagles of Nigeria tattoo.

Manuel Akanji and Super Eagles: Manchester City star shows off Nigerian tattoo

Tosin Abayomi 18:45 - 19.02.2024

After the AFCON, Manchester City star Manuel Akanji shows off his Super Eagles of Nigeria tattoo.

Social media is buzzing with discussion after a viral image of Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji proudly flaunting a tattoo of the Super Eagles of Nigeria logo went viral.

The 28-year-old was born in Switzerland to Nigerian and Swiss parents.

He plays center back most of the time but can also fill in at full back.

Because of his father's nationality, Akanji was able to play internationally for Nigeria, but he chose to represent Switzerland, the country of his birth.

After the AFCON, Manchester City star Manuel Akanji shows off Super Eagles of Nigeria tattoo.
After the AFCON, Manchester City star Manuel Akanji shows off Super Eagles of Nigeria tattoo.

This tattoo acknowledges his Nigerian origin and serves as a physical monument to it, even despite his commitment to the Swiss national team.

Did Akanji choose Switzerland over the Super Eagles of Nigeria?

With the Switzerland U-20 national team, Akanji made his debut on the international scene and was awarded two caps.

After the AFCON, Manchester City star Manuel Akanji shows off his Super Eagles of Nigeria tattoo.
After the AFCON, Manchester City star Manuel Akanji shows off his Super Eagles of Nigeria tattoo.

In a 2–0 victory over the Faroe Islands on June 9, 2017, Akanji made his debut for the Swiss senior squad, playing the entire ninety minutes of a 2018 World Cup qualifying match.

Due to his skill, he was selected for Switzerland's 23-man roster for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

After the AFCON, Manchester City star Manuel Akanji shows off his Super Eagles of Nigeria tattoo.
After the AFCON, Manchester City star Manuel Akanji shows off his Super Eagles of Nigeria tattoo.

He started each of the team's four games as they made it to the round of 16.

The Super Eagles' logo, which represents the Nigerian national team, has a lot of symbolic meaning.

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