Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye continued his remarkable rise as a global celebrity, appearing at the Jean Paul Gaultier A/W 26/27 Haute Couture Show in Paris on Wednesday, where he was asked to give a quick Igbo lesson and share his thoughts on the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 26-year-old Udinese shot-stopper, who has become one of the most talked-about figures of the World Cup despite Nigeria not being at the tournament, was seated in the front row alongside American rap superstar Cardi B as models showcased the new collection.
When asked about the World Cup, Okoye first delivered a quick Igbo language lesson to the interviewer before sharing his tournament prediction.
The Nigeria international admitted he had been rooting for Germany before their elimination from the competition. “I was rooting for Germany, but, unfortunately, we are out already,” Okoye said via Dazed on Instagram. He then tipped France to go all the way and lift the trophy, with the French side set to face Morocco in the quarter-finals on Thursday night.
The Paris appearance is the latest chapter in one of the most unexpected celebrity stories of the 2026 World Cup cycle. Okoye went viral weeks ago after footage of his pre-match walk during Nigeria’s friendly against Portugal spread across social media, earning him the label of “the world’s sexiest footballer.”
A social media post tracking the viral reaction generated over 3.8 million views, 43,000 likes, and 3,600 saves within 24 hours. His Instagram following exploded from around 250,000 to over 1.3 million in under a week, with celebrities including American music legend Toni Braxton and BBC actress Sarah Hadland publicly expressing their admiration.
“Honestly, I think I was not prepared for this because it was quite big. I have had some viral moments here and there, but nothing like this,” Okoye told journalist Joy Ejaria for Ahlan Dubai.
Beyond the celebrity attention, Okoye’s credentials as a top goalkeeper remain impressive. His season at Udinese was exceptional, keeping 10 clean sheets across 30 Serie A appearances, making him the first Nigerian goalkeeper to reach double figures in clean sheets in a top-five European league since the legendary Vincent Enyeama achieved the feat in 2015.
The 26-year-old stands at 1.9 metres tall and was born in Germany to a Nigerian father and German mother, representing Nigeria at international level after previously honing his craft in Germany and the Netherlands with Sparta Rotterdam.
His appearance at one of Paris Fashion Week’s most prestigious events signals how far Okoye’s profile has grown beyond football, as the Super Eagles star continues to capture global attention in ways few African footballers have managed before him.
