American rapper Cardi B and Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye have stirred dating rumours after they were seen together on Wednesday at various events during Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week. Their appearance together got many people talking on social media.
The buzz began when videos and photos from the Jean Paul Gaultier Fall/Winter 2026 Haute Couture Show appeared online. These clips showed Okoye helping Cardi B find her seat before they sat side by side to enjoy the runway show.
Goalkeeper Okoye in a gentlemanly form towards Cardi B
They were also spotted at the Messika Haute Joaillerie presentation, where they seemed relaxed while laughing and chatting throughout the event.
Social Media Frenzy
More videos circulating online showed them talking on a balcony, which only added fuel to the fire regarding their connection.
The clips quickly spread across TikTok, X, Instagram, and Facebook. Many users commented on the chemistry between the two, praising Okoye’s gentlemanly behaviour and speculating about a possible romance.
Despite the excitement online, neither Cardi B nor Okoye has said anything about the dating rumours. There is also no confirmed proof that they are romantically linked.
Cardi B and Stefon Diggs
This renewed interest in Cardi B’s love life follows her recent public association with NFL player Stefon Diggs. This connection quickly made her outing with the Nigerian footballer a hot topic.
Introducing Okoye
For many who do not follow football, these viral videos have introduced Okoye to a wider audience. He is not married but has been in a long-term relationship with Dutch model Jelicia Westhoff for over four years. They have a son named Isaiah Amiel Okoye. Even with some public breakups, the couple has managed to stay together.
Okoye and his Dutch partner Jelicia Westhoff
Okoye has not been publicly linked to any other celebrities, aside from his recent outing with Cardi B. His personal life has mostly focused on his long-term partner, Westhoff. He also addressed past dating rumours about DJ Cuppy and a sports journalist claimed Okoye once turned down advances from a Nigerian billionaire’s daughter, saying she was “not his type.”
Born on 28 August 1999 in Düsseldorf, Germany, Okoye has a Nigerian father and a German mother. The 26-year-old goalkeeper plays for Nigeria’s Super Eagles and is currently with Italian Serie A club Udinese.
Standing at 1.98 metres (6ft 6in), Okoye started his professional career in Germany before moving to Dutch club Sparta Rotterdam. He was named Player of the Season for the 2020/21 campaign there. He later joined Watford before signing with Udinese, where he has become one of Nigeria’s top goalkeepers.
Beyond his skills on the pitch, Okoye has gained a strong following for his fashion sense and social media presence, drawing attention from fans.
Shooting Shots?
These latest dating rumours come just weeks after Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Tems was asked on the red carpet of the 2026 BET Awards if she would “shoot her shot” at Okoye, given his rising popularity.
Tems while she was asked about Maduka Okoye at the 2026 BET
Laughing off the question, she said she knew who he was but not personally, adding, “We don’t do that over here. We’re friends with each other, and we’re family, sisters and brothers.”
That light-hearted moment had already put Okoye in the news before he was spotted with Cardi B in Paris.
Online reactions to the videos range from playful support for the two to funny memes celebrating Okoye’s international appeal. Some fans see them as a potential “power couple,” while others caution that a brief interaction at a public event does not mean they are in a relationship.
For now, the only confirmed facts are that Cardi B and Maduka Okoye attended the same Fashion Week events in Paris and were seen together. The talk about them being in a romantic relationship is still unverified.
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