How a single MRI test once derailed Wilfred Ndidi's youth career

Cultures · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before becoming a Premier League standout and Nigerian captain, Wilfred Ndidi faced a sudden setback. An MRI age test during the African U-17 Championship suggested he was slightly above the age threshold, leading to his exclusion from the tournament despite his immense potential.

Born on 16 December 1996, Ndidi's journey to professional football was marked by both high-stakes transfers and unexpected hurdles. After developing at the Nathaniel Boys Academy in Lagos, he moved to the Belgian club Genk in January 2015 for €180,000. His talent was immediately evident; during a Belgian League play-off against Club Brugge, he scored a long-range volley clocked at over 111 km/h, a strike that earned him the league's goal of the season.

His success in Belgium paved the way for a £17 million move to Leicester City, which was confirmed on 5 January 2017. Ndidi quickly established himself as a defensive powerhouse in the Premier League. In February 2017, during a 3–1 victory over Liverpool, he successfully completed 11 of 14 tackles—a defensive feat matched only by Chelsea's N'Golo Kanté in a similar fixture against the same opponent.

Beyond his club success, Ndidi has become a central figure for the Nigerian national team. After making his senior debut in October 2015 against DR Congo, he has been a mainstay in various squads, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup and multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. In December 2025, he reached a new milestone when he was appointed captain of the Super Eagles ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ndidi's career has also seen significant stability and transition. After signing a three-year extension with Leicester City in July 2024 that ran through June 2027, he eventually joined the Turkish club Beşiktaş on a permanent three-year deal in August 2025. In October 2025, he was named vice captain of the Süper Lig side.

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