Rising centre-back chooses Gli Azzurri over Super Eagles after turning 18.
Highly-rated Atalanta teenager Honest Ahanor has turned down a call-up from the Nigeria national football team, choosing to represent Italy after obtaining citizenship.
Born in Aversa, Italy to Nigerian parents, the 18-year-old central defender recently completed the paperwork to secure his Italian passport, making him eligible for both youth and senior squads of the four-time World Cup winners, Italy national football team.
Ahanor, a product of the Genoa academy and now playing for Atalanta BC, had previously been unable to represent Italy due to the lack of citizenship. Despite his Nigerian roots, he has consistently prioritized Italy as his footballing home.
He is now eligible for an Italy call-up, with manager Gennaro Gattuso potentially including him for the 2026 World Cup playoff against Northern Ireland on March 26. Ahanor is also in contention for Italy’s U19 and U21 teams, and appearances in these squads could provisionally cap-tie him to Italy.
Even if he debuts for Italy’s senior team, FIFA rules allow him to remain eligible for Nigeria at U21 level, keeping a slim path open to the Super Eagles, though his commitment seems firmly with Italy.
