Sevilla Worried as Injured Ejuke Plays Street Football in Nigeria

Chidera Ejuke finds himself at the centre of controversy once more after videos emerged showing him playing casual street football during his off-season in Nigeria—despite warnings over a recent muscle injury that sidelined him for nearly half the season. Sevilla officials are said to be increasingly uneasy about the winger’s behaviour, viewing it as reckless and emblematic of a broader pattern of indiscipline that first surfaced during a rocky debut season in La Liga.

The footage shows Ejuke dribbling and playing on dusty, unmarked pitches once even wearing a rival Valencia shirt before taking a tumble. Both images sparked outrage among Sevilla’s supporters, who feel such actions risk not only injury but reflect poorly on the club’s image. Behind the scenes, the club is reportedly open to entertaining offers for the 26 year old, believing a departure might best serve all parties.

Ejuke’s season, initially promising following a free transfer from CSKA Moscow, lost momentum after a high-grade hamstring tear against Barcelona. Though he returned to score crucial goals and impressed coach García Pimienta inconsistency and impulsive choices off the field have raised doubts. With Sevilla flirting with relegation and facing fan unrest, the club now reviews both his on- and off-field conduct before deciding on his future.

Editorial

We understand why Sevilla are on edge. Injuries and form issues can be managed, but a player’s lack of discipline during recuperation casts a lingering shadow. Ejuke’s tempting flair may ignite a game, yet his off-season choices often dim those sparks.

We believe a player’s recovery should blend responsibility with readiness. A hip injury’s impact isn’t just physical it undermines trust. By opting to play unsupervised matches on untested terrain, Ejuke breached that trust. Sevilla can no longer risk his impulsivity overshadowing collective stability.

At 26, he must decide: pursue his path with focus or let distractions define him. Sevilla’s openness to offers signals intent; it could also be a lifeline. One club’s loss may be another’s gain, but success will depend on maturity and context.

We insist that football’s allure lies not only in skill, but adaptability and professionalism. Ejuke remains talented but talent unmoored by discipline rarely lasts. To emerge stronger, he must recalibrate. Only then can he regain confidence, deliver consistency, and ensure that the headlines around him celebrate goals not controversies.

Did You Know?

1. Ejuke led all European top-five leagues in successful dribbles during the early part of the 2024–25 season, completing 28 from 46 attempts beating players like Yamal and Mbappé.
2. He scored his first La Liga goal for Sevilla in September 2024, becoming the first Nigerian ever to score for the club.
3. His hamstring injury against Barcelona in October 2024 was classified as ‘high-grade’, keeping him out until January yet he still managed to score a match-winner against Real Sociedad in March.
4. Sevilla president José María del Nido Carrasco once hailed Ejuke as a club legend in the making, praising his resilience and dribbling prowess.
5. Before joining Sevilla in 2024, Ejuke played for Vålerenga, Heerenveen, CSKA Moscow, Hertha BSC, and Royal Antwerp gaining broad European experience from Scandinavia to the Bundesliga.