Sadiq considers stepping away from international football after Super Eagles snub

Valencia striker Sadiq Umar is thinking about quitting international football. This follows his ongoing absence from the Super Eagles under coach Eric Chelle, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

The 29-year-old has not played for Nigeria since November 2024. He has slipped further down the list despite finishing the 2025/26 season on a high note in Spain.

Sadiq was called up for Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March 2025. But he did not get to play in either match. Since then, he has been left out of other national team games, including the Unity Cup and recent friendlies against Poland and Portugal.

His exclusion comes even after a successful season split between Valencia and Real Sociedad. He scored seven goals and provided five assists in 29 matches. He also helped Valencia avoid relegation, scoring three key goals in the last seven games of the season.

Nigeria has many attacking players, and Chelle has recently given chances to players like Owen Oseni and Rafiu Durosinmi. Meanwhile, Sadiq is still waiting for another opportunity to show his skills for the national team.

In an interview with RFI Hausa, the former Almeria striker revealed that quitting the national team is a possibility he is thinking about.

"Nobody called me. Maybe it’s not the kind of profile they wanted. There are players who are also trying, and Nigeria is a country blessed with so many talented footballers. I wasn’t fortunate enough to be selected."

"I am thinking that maybe I should retire from the national team, by the grace of Allah. I’ll wait until the new season starts, then sit down and think about what I want to do next."

Sadiq also mentioned that improving player welfare could advance Nigerian football in the future.

"It’s not just about the players, but also the welfare of the players. If everyone involved in Nigerian football, the management and those handling player welfare, comes together, I think everything can change."

The new season starts in August. Sadiq is expected to stay at Valencia after finding his form in the second half of last season. A strong beginning to the campaign could help him return to Chelle’s plans ahead of Nigeria’s next international window in September.