REVEALED: 10 most searched sports personalities in Nigeria 2025

Google Nigeria's Year in Search 2025 exposed a Premier League frenzy among Nigerian football fans, sidelining Super Eagles stars like Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen despite his €75m Galatasaray transfer after an impressive loan spell. 

Premier League Arsenal led with multiple entries, signalling club football's grip over national team hype ahead of AFCON 2025.​

Here is the list of the top 10 most searched sports stars by Nigerians in the year under review.

The Swedish striker exploded into Nigerian searches before and after Arsenal's €73.5m deal from Sporting CP in July 2025, following his 54-goal season that powered Sporting to league and cup glory. 

At 27, Gyokeres brings explosive pace, precise finishing, and 68 league goals in two Portuguese years, making him Mikel Arteta's top centre forward choice over rivals. His pre-season absence from Sporting and five-year Gunners contract fueled massive transfer buzz.​

The Argentine winger's United exit rumours dominated 2025 searches after Ruben Amorim limited him to 20 minutes in key Europa League loss to Tottenham, sparking unhappiness and bids from Napoli, Chelsea, and Saudi clubs. 

Previously a breakout talent, Garnacho's eventual sale to rivals Chelsea highlighted United's rebuild under new boss Amorim.​

Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons snagged third after his £51.8m Tottenham switch on August 29, 2025, despite Chelsea's pursuit, on a five-year deal. 

He debuted with an assist in a 3-0 West Ham win on September 13, blending creativity from his PSV and Leipzig roots.​

Slovenia's youngest debutant joined United in August 2025 until 2030, topping under-23 scorers in Europe's top leagues with 21 goals and 6 assists at RB Leipzig last season. 

At 22, his pace and dominance earned praise from director Jason Wilcox as an ideal forward for Ruben Amorim's ambitions.​

Cameroonian forward Bryan Mbeumo's July 2025 move from Brentford to United capped 242 Bees appearances, including 20 goals in his final 2019-20 season with the club. 

The concrete interest of Premier League giants Manchester United and his confirmed transfer drove Nigerian interest in the ex-Troyes youth product.​

Brazilian forward Joao Pedro lit up searches amid Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool links in the summer of 2025 at Brighton and Hove Albion.

However, his Club World Cup form, which helped the Blues emerge as World Champions, played a key role in his popularity. 

Recently, he featured in Chelsea's 1-1 Arsenal draw with key crosses. His Brighton's prior form positioned him as a top transfer target.​​

England international Eberechi Eze, with Nigerian roots, topped some Nigerian personality searches after Crystal Palace's 2025 FA Cup win.

His performance led to Arsenal interest and eventually signing, significantly leading to more interest on search engines for the England star.

Portuguese footballer, born in 1995, who died alongside his brother Diogo Jota of Liverpool in a ghastly auto crash earlier in the year

At just a young age of 25, who came through the ranks at Porto, died on the A-52 motorway in Cernadilla, Spain, with his popular brother.

Swedish forward Alexandre Isak sustained high searches with Newcastle's 2025 form, building on his prolific Premier League reputation as a clinical finisher.​

His mega-money switch from the Magpies to Premier League rivals Liverpool, and struggle to settle in early at Anfield have also played a key role in his relevance.

England winger Noni Madueke's £48.5m July 2025 Chelsea to Arsenal transfer, post-Conference League and Club World Cup wins, rounded out the list. 

Madueke was not the most popular target for Arsenal fans before the switch from Stamford Bridge, but six England caps and 11 goals in 2024/25 cemented his rapid rise from PSV.​