Asisat Oshoala biography reveals the Super Falcons star’s net worth, age, daughter, husband status, career journey from Lagos to Barcelona, Al Hilal transfer, and record-breaking achievements.

Who is Asisat Oshoala?

Asisat Lamina Oshoala is a Nigerian professional footballer who has established herself as one of the greatest African female footballers of all time. Born on October 9, 1994, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria, she currently plays as a striker for Saudi Women’s Premier League club Al Hilal and the Nigeria national team. At 30 years old, Oshoala’s career has been defined by extraordinary achievements, including winning the African Women’s Footballer of the Year award a record six times.

Widely regarded as one of the best female players in women’s football of her generation, Oshoala has played for top clubs across multiple continents. Her journey took her from humble beginnings in Lagos through English clubs Arsenal and Liverpool, Chinese powerhouse Dalian, Spanish giants Barcelona, American side Bay FC, and most recently to Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal. She has won multiple league titles, domestic cups, and became the first African woman to lift the UEFA Champions League trophy.

Known affectionately as “Àgba Baller” (meaning “Legendary Footballer” in Yoruba), Oshoala’s impact extends beyond the pitch. She has broken numerous barriers for African women in football, inspired millions of young girls across the continent, and used her platform to advocate for better conditions and opportunities for women in sports. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to excellence despite facing initial opposition from her family and societal expectations.

Quick Facts About Asisat Oshoala

Early Life and Family Background: From Ikorodu to Football Stardom

Asisat Lamina Oshoala was born and raised in Ikorodu, a vibrant suburb in the northeast of Lagos, situated along the Lagos Lagoon and bordering Ogun State. Growing up in a middle-class Muslim family, Oshoala’s childhood was shaped by traditional values and expectations that initially clashed with her passion for football.

She was born into a polygamous Muslim family with one father and two wives. Her parents, Alhaji Oshoala (father) and Iya Asisa (mother), were shopkeepers. Asisat has six siblings from her polygamous family, including brothers Abdulbasit Oshoala and Olayinka Oshoala, and a younger sister named Sherifat Omosholape.

Family Opposition and Grandmother’s Support

Asisat Oshoala’s parents initially expressed anger at their daughter’s interest in sports as she was born into a Muslim family, stating “My parents didn’t want me to play sports at all and sometimes there were big fights at home. I had to run to my grandmother’s house to escape trouble”. Despite societal beliefs that playing football was unsuitable for girls, Oshoala’s late grandmother believed in her talent and would often intervene when her parents chased her out of the house or denied her food for playing soccer.

Her father, Alhaji Oshoala, initially disapproved of her football aspirations, prioritizing education and telling the BBC: “We didn’t see a bright future for her in football, and I planned to make sure all my children attained a high level of education and do better than us parents”. However, her parents eventually gave their consent for her to follow her passion and supported her decision to leave school to pursue a professional football career.

Education and Early Football Beginnings

Asisat attended Air Force Primary School in Victoria Island and later completed her secondary education at Aunty Ayo International School in Ikoyi, Lagos. Despite excelling in academics, her passion for football often took precedence. Interestingly, while attending school, Oshoala surprisingly dreamt of a career in law, not football.

She started playing football in neighborhood teams and gained visibility while playing for FC Robo, a local Lagos-based team in Mushin. Between 2009 and 2013, Oshoala honed her skills with FC Robo before moving to Port Harcourt to join Nigerian powerhouse Rivers Angels in 2013, where her professional career truly began to take shape.

Professional Career Journey: From Nigeria to Global Stardom

Early Career in Nigeria (2009-2015)

Oshoala’s professional journey began at FC Robo Queens (2009-2013), a Lagos-based women’s club where she developed her raw talent and caught the attention of scouts. Her move to Rivers Angels in 2013 marked a turning point in her career, providing her with a platform to showcase her abilities on a bigger stage.

Breakthrough at 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup

At Rivers Angels, Asisat gained prominence when she represented Nigeria in the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup held in Canada. She emerged as the tournament’s top scorer with seven goals and was rightfully bestowed the Player of the Tournament award, with Nigeria finishing as runners-up. This performance catapulted her to international stardom and attracted interest from European clubs.

Following her exceptional display in Canada, Oshoala was recognized as the best player and second top goalscorer in the Super Falcons team which emerged victorious in the 2014 African Women’s Championship. In September 2014, Oshoala was made a Member of the Order of the Niger by President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan, recognizing her contributions to Nigerian football.

Liverpool FC (2015): Making History in England

On 23 January 2015, Oshoala joined Liverpool in England’s Women’s Super League, becoming the first African female to play in this prestigious competition. Despite suffering a knee injury that sidelined her for two months of the 2015 season, she made nine appearances and scored three crucial goals. Her impressive performances earned her the prestigious BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award in 2015.

Arsenal FC (2016): FA Cup Glory

In March 2016, Oshoala signed with Arsenal after the club activated a release clause in her Liverpool contract. Arsenal manager Pedro Losa said of her signing: “Asisat is a fantastic talent and will be a great addition to our squad. She is quick, with excellent feet and has proven she can score goals so it’s very positive she has decided to join us”.

Oshoala helped Arsenal win the 2016 FA Women’s Cup Final on 14 May, marking the club’s 14th title. She made 13 appearances for the club during the 2016 season and scored two goals, including the game-winning goal in the 2–0 win against Notts County on 28 August.

Dalian Quanjian, China (2017-2018): Golden Boot Winner

On 10 February 2017, Oshoala signed with Chinese club Dalian. During the 2017 season, she scored 12 goals helping Dalian Quanjian win the league championship and was awarded the league’s Golden Boot award for most goals scored. She went on to help Dalian secure a second consecutive league title in October 2018, establishing herself as one of the most lethal strikers in Asian women’s football.

FC Barcelona Femení (2019-2024): European Dominance

On 31 January 2019, Spanish club FC Barcelona Femení signed Oshoala on a loan deal until the end of the season. On May 31, 2019, Barcelona announced her full transfer to the club with an extension until 2022. This move would prove to be the most successful period of her career.

Historic Champions League Achievements

During the 2018–19 season, she scored seven goals in her seven appearances. Oshoala scored Barcelona’s only goal in a 4–1 defeat to Lyon in the 2019 UEFA Women’s Champions League Final, becoming the first African (and Nigerian) to score in a Champions League Final.

On 16 May 2021, Oshoala became the first African woman to win the UEFA Champions League, after Barcelona defeated Chelsea 4–0 in the finals. She would go on to win a second Champions League title with Barcelona, cementing her legacy as one of Europe’s elite players.

During her five-year tenure at Barcelona, Oshoala scored an impressive 107 goals in 149 appearances, winning five Liga F titles, two UEFA Women’s Champions League trophies, Copa de la Reina, and Supercopa de España Femenina. She also won the Pichichi league top scorer award, showcasing her consistency at the highest level of European football.

Bay FC, USA (2024-2025): NWSL Experience

In February 2024, Oshoala made a surprising move to Bay FC, an expansion team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States. On her NWSL debut, she scored Bay FC’s first-ever goal in their 1-0 victory against Angel City on March 17, 2024.

During Bay FC’s inaugural 2024 season, Oshoala made 23 starts in 25 games, scoring seven regular season goals and contributing one assist, finishing as the team’s top scorer. However, her second season in 2025 saw limited playing time, with only five starts across 12 matches and no goals or assists before her departure.

Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia (2025-Present): New Chapter

On 2 September 2025, Oshoala signed for Saudi Women’s Premier League club Al Hilal on a two-year contract. The move represents her latest adventure in a career defined by bold choices and new challenges. She joins fellow Nigerian internationals Ashleigh Plumptre and Francisca Ordega at Al Hilal, as Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in developing women’s football.

International Career with Super Falcons: National Team Legend

Oshoala’s debut for Nigeria’s senior national team came in September 2013 during a friendly defeat by world champions Japan. Since then, she has become one of the most important players in Super Falcons history, representing Nigeria at multiple FIFA Women’s World Cups and African tournaments.

FIFA Women’s World Cup Appearances

Oshoala has represented Nigeria at the FIFA Women’s World Cups in 2015, 2019, and 2023. In the 2015 tournament in Canada, she scored Nigeria’s second goal in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Sweden. Her goal in Nigeria’s 2-0 win over South Korea in the 2019 World Cup was nominated for Goal of the Tournament by FIFA.

In July 2023, after her group stage heroics against Australia in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Oshoala saw a massive increase in her Instagram followership which made her become the first African female footballer to have a million followers on the social media platform.

Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Success

Oshoala has been instrumental in Nigeria’s dominance of African women’s football, helping the Super Falcons win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (formerly African Women’s Championship) four times: in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2024. Her consistent performances in these tournaments have solidified her status as Africa’s greatest female footballer.

Career Timeline & Major Milestones

Awards and Honors: Record-Breaking Recognition

Individual Awards

African Women’s Footballer of the Year (Record 6 Times)

• 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023

This record-breaking achievement makes Oshoala the most decorated African female footballer in history, surpassing all previous players in continental recognition.

Major Tournament Awards

• 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup: Golden Boot (Top Scorer – 7 goals) and Golden Ball (Best Player)
• 2014 African Women’s Championship: Best Player and Second Top Scorer
• 2015: BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year
• 2017: Chinese Women’s Super League Golden Boot
• 2021: Forbes 30 Under 30
• 2023: Ballon d’Or nominee (ranked 20th, highest-ranked African)
• 2024: FIFA Marta Award nominee (best goal in women’s football)

Club Honors

With Arsenal (2016)

• FA Women’s Cup

With Dalian Quanjian (2017-2018)

• Chinese Women’s Super League (2017, 2018)
• Chinese Women’s Super Cup (2017)

With FC Barcelona Femení (2019-2024)

• UEFA Women’s Champions League (2021, 2023)
• Liga F/Primera División (5 titles)
• Copa de la Reina
• Supercopa de España Femenina
• Pichichi Trophy (Top Scorer)

With Nigeria (Super Falcons)

• Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (2014, 2016, 2018, 2024)

National Honors

• Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) – 2014

Asisat Oshoala Net Worth and Salary: Financial Success

Net Worth Overview

As of 2025, Asisat Oshoala’s net worth is estimated at $3 million – $3.5 million, equivalent to ₦4.5 billion – ₦5.2 billion in Nigerian Naira. Her wealth has been accumulated through her decade-long professional football career, lucrative club contracts, endorsement deals, and smart investments.

Salary and Earnings

Oshoala earns a monthly salary of $20,000 – $25,000, equivalent to ₦30 million – ₦37.5 million, from her professional football contract. Her weekly earnings are estimated at $10,500, which amounts to $546,000 annually. She also receives significant bonuses for match appearances, goals scored, and performance in major tournaments.

Income Sources

Club Football Contracts: Her primary source of income comes from professional football contracts with top clubs across Europe, Asia, America, and now Saudi Arabia.

National Team Bonuses: Representing the Super Falcons provides additional earnings through appearance fees and bonuses, especially during tournaments like the FIFA Women’s World Cup and Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Endorsements and Sponsorships: Oshoala is a Nike ambassador and has endorsement deals with prominent brands including EMZOR Pharmaceuticals. Her brand partnerships have significantly contributed to her wealth.

Foundation and Academy: While primarily philanthropic, her Asisat Oshoala Foundation and Academy also contribute to her business portfolio and legacy.

Assets and Lifestyle

In 2020, Oshoala shared photos of herself in Lagos posing with a Mercedes-Benz CLA 250, indicating her taste for luxury vehicles. While she maintains a relatively private lifestyle, her social media presence showcases a successful athlete enjoying the fruits of her labor while remaining grounded in her Nigerian roots.

Personal Life: Marriage, Daughter, and Relationship Status

Marital Status and Relationships

As of 2025, Asisat Oshoala is reportedly unmarried and has never been married. The Nigerian forward prefers to keep her love life private, and there is limited public information about her relationship status.

In 2017, rumors circulated about a relationship with Nigerian beach footballer Abu Abolaji Azeez after he posted a picture of them together with a caption about a wedding. However, this was later clarified as a joke, and Oshoala has previously addressed rumors of engagement to Abu Abolaji Azeez, clarifying that they are not a couple.

Daughter and Motherhood

Asisat Oshoala is a proud mother to a child, though she maintains strict privacy regarding the child’s other parent. Although she mentioned having a daughter in various interviews, including a question-and-answer session on social media in 2019, she has never mentioned her daughter’s name publicly. The identity of her daughter’s father also remains private, as Oshoala has chosen to keep this aspect of her personal life away from public scrutiny.

Current Focus

As of 2025, Oshoala remains single and focused on her thriving football career and philanthropic activities. Her family, particularly her parents and siblings, remain an important part of her life, and she has often credited them for their support throughout her journey, despite their initial hesitation about her pursuing football professionally.

Philanthropy and Social Impact: Giving Back to Africa

Asisat Oshoala Foundation

Oshoala launched the Asisat Oshoala Foundation in 2019, focused on empowering girl footballers in Africa. The foundation hosts the annual Asisat Oshoala Foundation Football4girls tournament in Lagos. The foundation works to provide opportunities, training, and resources for young African girls who aspire to pursue football careers.

Asisat Oshoala Academy

In 2019, she launched the Asisat Oshoala Academy, an all-girls training program empowering and inspiring the next generation of female footballers. The academy focuses on safeguarding, best practices, and developing both the technical and personal skills of young players.

Advocacy and Representation

Oshoala actively advocates for better conditions and opportunities for women in sports, particularly in Africa. She serves as a role model for aspiring athletes across the continent and uses her platform to challenge stereotypes and break barriers for women in football.

In October 2021, she was appointed to FIFA’s technical advisory group on the growth and advancement of women’s football, headed by Jill Ellis and including fellow African Doreen Nabwire. This position allows her to influence policy and development at the highest levels of global football administration.

Nike Ambassador

Oshoala is a Nike ambassador, representing one of the world’s leading sports brands. This partnership not only provides financial benefits but also amplifies her voice as an advocate for women’s football and inspires young girls across Africa to pursue their sporting dreams.

Interesting Facts About Asisat Oshoala

1. Nicknames with Meaning She is popularly called “Àgba Baller”, which means “Legendary Footballer” in Yoruba. She was nicknamed “Seedorf” after male footballer Clarence Seedorf and has also been referred to as “Superzee” by her teammates.

2. Social Media Milestone She became the first African female footballer to reach one million followers on Instagram in July 2023, following her impressive performances at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

3. Multi-Continental Career Oshoala is one of the few African players to have played professionally on five continents: Africa (Nigeria), Europe (England, Spain), Asia (China), North America (USA), and now the Middle East (Saudi Arabia).

4. First African Achievements

• First African female to play in England’s Women’s Super League (2015)
• First African player to score in a UEFA Women’s Champions League final (2019)
• First African woman to win the UEFA Champions League (2021)

5. Academic Dreams Despite becoming a football legend, Oshoala once dreamed of becoming a lawyer while attending Aunty Ayo International School, showing her intellectual versatility.

6. Barcelona Legacy Her 107 goals in 149 appearances for Barcelona represents one of the most prolific scoring records in European women’s football history.

7. Member of the Order of the Niger At just 20 years old, she received one of Nigeria’s highest national honors, recognizing her contributions to the nation’s sporting excellence.

8. FIFA Recognition Her appointment to FIFA’s technical advisory group makes her one of the youngest and most influential voices in shaping the future of women’s football globally.

Legacy and Impact: Inspiring African Women in Football

Asisat Oshoala’s impact on African women’s football cannot be overstated. She has shattered glass ceilings, broken records, and inspired millions of young girls across the continent to pursue their football dreams despite societal and cultural barriers.

Her journey from facing family opposition in Ikorodu to becoming a UEFA Champions League winner and six-time African Footballer of the Year demonstrates that talent, determination, and hard work can overcome any obstacle. She has proven that African women can compete and excel at the highest levels of global football.

Through her foundation and academy, Oshoala is ensuring that future generations have better opportunities than she did. Her advocacy work with FIFA and her platform as a global sports icon have helped accelerate the development of women’s football infrastructure across Africa.

Her willingness to take on new challenges, from China to Spain to America and now Saudi Arabia, shows her adventurous spirit and commitment to growing the game wherever she goes. Each move has been calculated to maximize her impact and continue pushing boundaries for African women in sport.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Asisat Oshoala married? No, as of 2025, Asisat Oshoala is reportedly unmarried and has never been married, preferring to keep her personal life private.

2. How many times has Asisat Oshoala won African Women’s Footballer of the Year? She has won African Women’s Footballer of the Year a record six times (2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023), making her the most decorated player in the award’s history.

3. What is Asisat Oshoala’s current club? As of September 2025, Oshoala plays for Saudi Women’s Premier League club Al Hilal on a two-year contract.

4. Does Asisat Oshoala have children? Yes, she has a daughter, though she keeps her daughter’s name and the father’s identity private.

5. What is Asisat Oshoala’s net worth in 2025? Her estimated net worth is $3-3.5 million (₦4.5-5.2 billion), earned through football contracts, endorsements, and investments.

6. How many goals did Asisat Oshoala score for Barcelona? She scored an impressive 107 goals in 149 appearances during her five-year tenure at FC Barcelona Femení (2019-2024).

7. When did Asisat Oshoala win the UEFA Champions League? She became the first African woman to win the UEFA Champions League on 16 May 2021, when Barcelona defeated Chelsea 4–0, and won it again in 2023.

8. What state is Asisat Oshoala from? She is from Lagos State, Nigeria, specifically from Ikorodu, a suburb northeast of Lagos.