Former Super Eagles forward Brown Ideye has named Victor Osimhen and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland among his favourite modern-day attackers.
The former Nigerian international praised both players during an interview with PUNCH Sports Extra, explaining that their goalscoring abilities reflected the demands of contemporary football.
Ideye also identified two former Real Madrid defenders as the toughest opponents he faced during his playing career.
Ideye praises Osimhen, Haaland
Speaking about strikers he enjoys watching, Ideye commended Osimhen’s performances for Galatasaray and Haaland’s impact at Manchester City.
“I like the way Osimhen is playing. I like the way a lot of strikers, Haaland, they (Osimhen and Haaland) are good players. Football is all about scoring goals and winning games,” he said.
The former West Bromwich Albion forward maintained that modern football differed from the game during his playing days.
He explained that successful attackers were increasingly judged by their ability to score goals and help their teams secure victories.
Ideye names toughest defenders
The former Nigerian international also recalled playing against some of Europe’s most formidable defenders.
“For me, I would say the defenders, I would say Sergio Ramos and Pepe,” he said.
Both defenders enjoyed successful careers with Real Madrid and represented Spain and Portugal respectively.
Ideye also named former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimović as his favourite footballer because of similarities in their playing styles.
“One of my favourite players that I see, though now he is retired, but I have to go with Ibrahimović because it is similar to how I play,” he explained.
Osimhen continues scoring form
Osimhen recently scored in Galatasaray’s 4-0 victory over Konyaspor on October 30.
The Nigerian striker has scored nine goals in the current Turkish Super Lig campaign, putting him level with fellow Nigerian Gift Orban in the league’s leading scorers’ standings.
Ideye, who won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria, retired from professional football in August 2025.
His club career included spells with Dynamo Kyiv, West Bromwich Albion, Olympiacos and Enyimba.
