Ahmed Musa: All eyes on Nigerian forward as Saudi Pro League kicks off Thursday

Musa will be looking to bounce back from his troubled days in England and deliver on a more consistent basis at Al Nassr.

It won’t be far-fetched to say Ahmed Musa’s biggest moment in his football career came at the 2018 FIFA World Cup when he tore the Iceland defence apart with sheer pace and trickely.

His brace against Iceland in Nigeria’s second Group D of the 2018 World Cup was a confidence booster for Musa who had gone through a frustrating time at Leicester City.

Ahmed Musa at the 2018 World Cup

Why he failed at Leicester City remains a puzzle. He never got enough chance to impress-in his one and half years at the club he only played 21 times.

 

But Musa did seem broken in England. His troubles crossed over to the national team where he also lost his place in the starting XI.

But after Super Eagles 0-2 loss to Croatia in Nigeria’s first goal of the World Cup, it was Musa whom Gernot Rohr called on to spark his lethargic attack. He brought fireworks as his brace lit up Nigeria’s 2018 World Cup campaign.

There is much to say about his damp squib at Leicester City to suggest that he was still left at the fringes at Leicester City even after an impressive World Cup to suggest that it was for a reason maybe beyond football.

Maybe even the player himself didn’t understand the situation of things as he hinted that he was sold against his wish in a recent interview.

 “I wanted to stay in England because that has been my dream for years,” Musa said told Own Goal Nigeria.

“I wanted to stay in England because that has been my dream for years but what will you do when you’re told a bid has been accepted for you.

“I had to move to where I know I will be celebrated.”

Al Nassr

Musa was celebrated at Saudi Arabia where Al Nassr splashed a reported £14.5m on him. The forward was given a superstar welcome when he arrived in Riyadh ahead of his unveiling.

Just before the celebration champagne got warm, he scored on his debut for Al Nassr to spark huge optimism among fans of what is to come from him this season.

 

With the 2018 Saudi Pro League to kick off on Thursday, August 30, Al Nassr fans will be hoping that Musa can help land their first title since 2015.

Since they last won it, Al-Hilal, the most successful club in Saudi Arabia have won it back to back and it is their cross city rivals along with Al-Ahli they must tobble to be champions again.

 

On a personal level, Musa will be looking to bounce back from his troubled days at Leicester City and deliver on a more consistent basis.

He is reportedly on a wage of about $200, 000 per week. That’s a lot of money and for whom much is given, much is also expected.