Ahmed Musa

Musa began his career in the GBS Football Academy.

Breakthrough in Nigeria

In 2008, Musa was loaned to JUTH F.C. where he played 18 games, scoring four goals in his first two professional seasons for the Healers. He was subsequently loaned to Kano Pillars F.C., in the 2009–10 season where he set the league record scoring multiple crucial goals as Pillars finished second. Musa held the record for the highest goals ever scored in one season in the history of the Nigeria Premier League with 18 goals until November 2011, when Jude Aneke of Kaduna United F.C. set a new record of 20 goals.

VVV-Venlo

Musa was transferred to Dutch club VVV-Venlo in summer 2010, but the move was held up because he was only 17 years of age and therefore not eligible for an ITC in accordance with the current FIFA rules. He was officially eligible to play for VVV-Venlo on 14 October 2010 when he eventually turned 18 years of age. Less than a week after arriving at the club, Musa made his debut for VVV-Venlo against FC Groningen on 30 October. He started the game for VVV-Venlo, was fouled in the 50th minute and received a penalty kick. Rated by Goal.com amongst the Hot 100 young football stars in the world to watch in 2011, Lolade Adewuyi of Goal.com put him on the list of Top Ten Nigerian International Players of 2010 and was also included in IFFHS list of the best 140 players in the world. On 8 March 2011, Ahmed Musa won the AIT footballer of the year award (national). The ceremony…

In April 2010 under Coach Lars Lagerbäck, he was called up to join the Nigeria national football team camp prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa after helping the Nigerian team win in the 2010 WAFU Nations Cup where he scored a goal against Benin. In the same tournament against Burkina Faso, Musa's goal deep into extra-time shot Nigeria into the finals of the tournament in Abeokuta. He was however forced out of the Super Eagles' 30-man World Cup roster due to an ankle injury. On 5 September 2010, at the age of 17, Musa made his debut for the Nigeria senior team in a qualification match for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations against Madagascar, where he came on as a substitute for Mikel John Obi in a 2–0 win. Musa scored his first goal for the Super Eagles in a March 2011 friendly against Kenya. In April 2011, Musa was included in the Nigeria national under-20 football team squad to represent the nation in the 2011 African Youth Championship qualifiers, even though VVV Venlo had declared him unavailable for the tournament due to club commitments. After some intense negotiations with the Nigerian Federation, VVV Venlo and Musa's representatives it was agreed that Musa will shuttle between the Netherlands and South Africa to participate in the tournament with the national team. After the opening game against defending champions Ghana, Musa won the most valuable player award and boarded the next flight back to the Netherlands.

In August 2011, Musa represented Nigeria U20…

Club

As of match played 28 January 2024

International

As of match played 28 May 2025

As of match played 13 November 2021. Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Musa goal.

In April 2017, Musa was involved in a dispute with his estranged wife Jamila, resulting in the police being called to his home. Shortly afterwards, the couple were divorced following "irreconcilable differences". On 23 May, Musa married Juliet Ejue in Abuja. On 24 January 2019, Musa confirmed the news of the death of his mother Sarah Musa on his Twitter page. She had previously been ill. Musa who is a Muslim, faced criticism from Muslims for wishing a Merry Christmas to his instagram followers with a post captioning: "Compliments of the season This festive season, I pray that you experience true joy and peace and may things of celebration never cease from your household. Merry Christmas to you all". Whilst posting a picture of his Christian Wife next to a Christmas Tree. Following the Criticism from Nigerian Muslims, Musa called on Nigerians to remember that "in the beautiful game, we stand united, transcending tribe and religion." Musa also implored Nigerians to "join hands for peace, goals, and a brighter future."