Nigerian teenagers Callum Olusesi and Damola Ajayi were all smiles on Wednesday night as they celebrated Tottenham Hotspur’s dramatic Europa League final victory over Manchester United, proudly displaying their winners’ medals despite not playing in the match.
Spurs clinched their first European title in 41 years, thanks to Brennan Johnson’s decisive goal just before halftime at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao. The win not only marked a historic moment for the club but also booked their spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Both Ajayi and Olusesi travelled with the squad to Spain. Ajayi was named on the bench but remained unused, while Olusesi watched from the stands. The duo had earlier made their senior debuts in the competition: Ajayi scored just minutes after coming on in a win over Elfsborg, and Olusesi featured briefly in the victory against Hoffenheim.
After the final whistle, Ajayi shared a celebratory photo on Instagram with Spurs captain Heung-min Son and fellow academy stars Olusesi and Mikey Moore, captioning it, “All glory to God.”
Though their contributions this season were limited, the promising youngsters are expected to feature more in the coming campaign as Spurs gear up for action across five competitions — including the UEFA Super Cup and Champions League.
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Editorial
Moments like these serve as potent reminders that football is not only about the 90 minutes on the pitch it’s about journey, patience, and promise. For Damola Ajayi and Callum Olusesi, receiving Europa League winners’ medals without playing in the final is not an empty gesture it’s validation of their place in Tottenham’s story.
We see these medals not as souvenirs, but as symbols of potential. Ajayi and Olusesi represent a growing generation of Nigerian talent rewriting narratives in Europe. It takes more than talent to reach these heights it takes trust from a manager, belief from a club, and character from the player.
In a football culture often obsessed with immediate results and appearances, Tottenham’s recognition of their contributions throughout the tournament is refreshing. It says: “You belong here. You’re part of this success.”
And that message matters. It boosts confidence. It ignites ambition. It tells every young Nigerian footballer that their dreams can stretch beyond borders, that patience and preparation can put them on Europe’s grandest stages.
We must continue to celebrate these quieter victories. Because today’s medal ceremony could be the prelude to tomorrow’s man of the-match performance.
Did You Know?
- Tottenham’s last European trophy before this season came in 1984, when they won the UEFA Cup (now Europa League).
- Damola Ajayi was part of the Tottenham U18 side that won both the U17 and U18 Premier League Cups in the 2022–23 season.
- Callum Olusesi captained Spurs in the FA Youth Cup and has been praised for his versatility across midfield roles.
- Heung-min Son, featured in Ajayi’s celebratory photo, is the first Asian player to captain a major European club to continental silverware.
- The San Mames Stadium, where the final was held, is known for its architecture and is one of the few UEFA Category 4 stadiums in Spain.
