Oshoala Breaks Silence: Ronaldo and Saha Were My Childhood Heroes

Nigerian football icon and Bay FC striker, Asisat Oshoala, has paid heartfelt tribute to trailblazers of the Super Falcons, while revealing the male football legends who inspired her early in life. Speaking during a recent interview on Arise News, following Nigeria’s triumphant outing at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, Oshoala credited several former Nigerian women’s national team stars for paving the way for her career.

According to iReporter Online, the six-time CAF Women’s Player of the Year acknowledged legendary striker Perpetua Nkwocha, celebrated goalkeeper Precious Dede, and midfield stalwart Rita Chikwelu as instrumental figures who laid the foundation for the success of her generation. Oshoala expressed deep respect for their contribution, stating she was fortunate to share the pitch with some of them before their retirement.

Reflecting on her own football journey, which has taken her through top European clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Barcelona before her current spell in the United States with Bay FC, Oshoala admitted that her early idols were male players due to the lack of visibility for women’s football at the time.

She explained that the absence of televised games and media coverage for female athletes during her youth meant she looked to male footballers for inspiration. “I did not have a female idol growing up because you couldn’t watch their games or read about them in the newspapers,” she said. “I was always drawn to the men’s game. I admired Cristiano Ronaldo and Louis Saha.”

Oshoala’s candid revelation highlights the persistent challenges faced by female athletes in terms of exposure and representation. Her tribute serves as both a reminder of how far the women’s game has come and a call for increased visibility to inspire future generations.