For 12-year-old Sajjad Yusuf, football is more than a game. It is a passion, a dream and a journey towards becoming a professional footballer.
From the grassroots pitches of Onigbongbo LCDA in Lagos, the young football enthusiast is already developing his ambitions while gaining first-hand experience of the challenges faced by aspiring players with limited resources.
Recently, Sajjad donated 22 pairs of Adidas football boots to young grassroots footballers in Onigbongbo, providing players who often train barefoot or with worn-out footwear with equipment to support their development.
The gesture reflects Sajjad’s growing understanding of the importance of opportunity in youth football — but it also offers a glimpse into the ambitions of a youngster determined to build a career of his own.
Sajjad dreams of playing professional football at the highest level, with Argentine great Lionel Messi among his biggest inspirations.
His admiration for Adidas is equally strong. Sajjad says his parents have worn the brand since he was young, while Messi’s long-standing association with Adidas has further strengthened his connection with the sportswear company.
The youngster now has another goal: to one day earn an Adidas sponsorship through his own achievements as a professional footballer.
For Sajjad, Messi represents not only footballing excellence but also the level of success he hopes to reach.
“Yes, I want to play football at the highest level,” Sajjad said.
Asked whether he hopes to emulate Messi’s extraordinary career, the 12-year-old remained ambitious but realistic about the scale of the challenge.
“I’ll be grateful if I could even achieve half of his career,” he said.
Sajjad’s football journey between the United States and Nigeria has also exposed him to contrasting football environments.
While his development in the United States has introduced him to one style of the game, training and interacting with young players in Lagos has given him a closer look at the intensity and physical demands of grassroots football in Nigeria.
“In Nigeria, I could see that they play barefoot a lot and that they have very strong legs,” he said.
“Your physical strength has to go up if you want to compete at that level.”
The experience has encouraged Sajjad to examine his own game while developing a deeper appreciation for young Nigerian footballers who continue to chase their ambitions despite limited access to basic equipment.
His donation of 22 pairs of Adidas boots is therefore more than a charitable gesture. It is a reminder of how young footballers can use their opportunities to support others coming through the same grassroots pathway.
From Onigbongbo in Lagos to his ambition of competing on football’s biggest stages, Sajjad Yusuf is taking his early steps with a clear objective: develop his talent, learn from the best and eventually create a football story of his own.
Inspired by Messi. Driven by Adidas. Motivated by grassroots football. Sajjad Yusuf’s journey is only beginning.
