Soccer
Super Eagles eligible goalkeeper Noah Atubolu. Photo by IMAGO
Nigeria’s hopes of convincing Noah Atubolu to represent the Super Eagles remain alive after the goalkeeper suffered a major setback with Germany, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 24-year-old SC Freiburg shot-stopper has emerged as a target for several top European clubs following an outstanding 2025/26 campaign. Atubolu helped Freiburg reach the UEFA Europa League final and established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s most reliable goalkeepers. His record-making performances have attracted interest from clubs in England, Italy and Spain, with Real Sociedad becoming the latest side to enter the race.
According to reports from Spain via Bulinews, new Real Sociedad coach Pellegrino Matarazzo is keen on bringing the German-Nigerian goalkeeper to the Basque club ahead of the new season. The former Bundesliga manager is reportedly searching for a new first-choice goalkeeper as uncertainty surrounds the future of Álex Remiro, who has been linked with a move to Napoli.
Freiburg appear to be preparing for life after Atubolu. The German club recently secured the signing of Mio Backhaus, a move widely viewed as succession planning should their number one leave before the start of the new campaign. With only one year remaining on his contract, speculation over Atubolu’s future has intensified.
Soccer Germany setback keeps Super Eagles dream alive
While Atubolu’s club career appears to be moving upwards, his international ambitions with Germany suffered a significant blow after he was left out of Julian Nagelsmann’s final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Despite enjoying the best season of his career and previously earning a senior call-up in October 2025, the Freiburg goalkeeper failed to make Germany’s final tournament roster. Nagelsmann instead opted for experienced names such as Manuel Neuer, Marc-André ter Stegen, Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nübel.
The omission is particularly significant for Nigeria because Atubolu has never played a competitive senior international match for Germany. As a result, the goalkeeper remains eligible to represent the Super Eagles through his Nigerian father.
The Nigeria Football Federation has monitored Atubolu’s development for several years and his latest international disappointment could present a fresh opportunity to persuade him to switch allegiance. His credentials are impressive. Atubolu surpassed Manuel Neuer’s appearance record for Germany’s Under-21 team and has already proven himself at the highest levels of European football.
Should he eventually choose Nigeria, Atubolu would enter a competitive goalkeeping department that currently includes Maduka Okoye, Arthur Okonkwo and Stanley Nwabali. However, his Bundesliga pedigree, Europa League experience and reputation as a modern ball-playing goalkeeper would make him a serious contender for the Super Eagles’ number-one shirt.
Still, Atubolu’s immediate focus is likely to be deciding his next club, with Real Sociedad, several Premier League teams, Napoli, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Atlético Madrid all reportedly monitoring his situation. But as long as Germany have not capped him competitively, the door to the Super Eagles remains firmly open.
Imhonlamhen
Imhonlamhen is a football writer and editor at Soccernet.ng with over six years’ experience shaping its editorial voice. A lifelong Arsenal and Super Eagles fan, he combines engineering precision with training in journalism and digital media. He has covered four AFCONs and two Women’s AFCON tournaments, specialising in Super Eagles history and tracking Nigerian players worldwide, while keeping a close eye on the NPFL and emerging homegrown talents.
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