Kelechi Iheanacho has broken his silence on his recent challenges, both at Sevilla and with the Nigerian national team.
Photo by Kelechi X
The forward, who joined the Spanish side on a free transfer this summer, has found it difficult to find his rhythm, sparking discussions about his future at club and country levels, Footballrover reports.
Despite being one of the standout players while at Leicester City, Iheanacho’s move to La Liga has yet to yield success.
The 28-year-old has mostly warmed the bench and is still searching for his first goal or assist in seven league appearances.
A season of frustrations for Iheanacho
For Nigeria, his performances in the recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda have drawn criticism, with fans questioning his place in the squad.
The Super Eagles’ talisman struggled to make an impact during the AFCON qualifiers, where Nigeria managed a 1-1 draw against Benin before 2-1 defeat to Rwanda.
Kelechi’s subpar display saw him substituted at halftime in both matches, fuelling debates about whether he should be dropped for future international outings.
His lack of form isn’t limited to his national duties. At Sevilla, Iheanacho’s inability to convert opportunities into goals has also left fans concerned.
Photo by Kelechi X
With no goal contributions, the forward faces mounting pressure to rediscover his scoring touch.
Reflecting on his current struggles, Iheanacho acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining peak performance.
Speaking before the clash with Rwanda, he admitted that when players aren’t at their best, everything feels tougher.
He also dispelled the notion that football is simple, emphasising the immense effort required behind the scenes.
“When you are not at your best, at your peak, then you look very tough.
“In general, football is not simple. Probably everyone will say that it is easy. Obviously, the way we play makes it look easy.
“But it is not because there is a lot of hard work to do, both in training and in matches,” the forward said as quoted by tribalfootball.
As the international break ends, Iheanacho will return to Sevilla with hopes of turning his season around.
The Rojiblancos will be facing Rayo Vallecano next, providing an opportunity for the Nigerian to prove his doubters wrong and reclaim his place among Europe’s elite forwards.
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