FIFA legend surprised and happy to be spotted by fans in Newcastle
A well-loved football video game star was surprised when someone recognized him outside St James’ Park.
Former Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike only played 16 games in England but is famous worldwide for his amazing skills in FIFA Ultimate Team during the FIFA 13 days.
Now 39, Emenike retired in 2019 after a short time with Westerlo in Belgium. He scored nine goals in 37 matches for the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, and spent much of his career playing in Turkey and Russia.
He got his big break in South Africa before joining Karabukspor in 2009. In 2011, he signed with Fenerbahce but moved right away to Spartak Moscow because Fenerbahce was involved in a match-fixing scandal and got kicked out of the Champions League.
After two seasons in Russia, Emenike went back to Istanbul and won the Super Lig with Fenerbahce right away.
On Wednesday, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner and Golden Boot champ shared a video on Instagram showing how someone recognized him outside Newcastle United’s stadium.
One quick fan even called over his friends to take a picture with the former striker. It wasn’t because of his short time at West Ham that he got noticed though.
“Aren’t you Spartak Moscow!” said the sharp Geordie fan.
“I wasn’t expecting to be known in Newcastle. As you can see, I looked a bit lost,” Emenike wrote with the video.
Emenike scored 92 goals during his real career, but he was probably spotted because of his famous FIFA 13 avatar.
Though his official rating was only 81, his FIFA character was basically the perfect striker, with top acceleration (93) and strength (94), making him a must-have for FIFA Ultimate Team players.
In real life, Emenike also had loan spells at West Ham (called Upton Park) and Al Ain in the UAE, finishing his career at Olympiacos and Westerlo.