Rashidi Yekini, October 23, 1963, was a professional Nigerian footballer who played as a forward. He holds the record for being the top goalscorer for his nation of all time.
Profile Summary
| Full Name: | Rashidi Yekini |
| Date of Birth: | October 23, 1963 |
| Place of Birth: | Kwara State |
| State of Origin: | Kwara State |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Occupation: | Footballer |
| Net Worth: | $1 million and $10 million |
| Wives: | Married |
Early Life
The early stages of Yekini’s life were marked by hardship, including homelessness and poverty. Initially, he worked as a welder and mechanic to earn a living, but his ultimate ambition was to pursue a career in football.
He caught the attention of scouts and, in 1981, he took his first steps in the world of football by joining UNTL FC in Kaduna.
Career
Yekini, born in Kaduna of Yoruba origin, began his professional career in the Nigerian league. He then ventured to Ivory Coast to join Africa Sports National, followed by a stint in Portugal with Vitória de Setúbal, where he achieved great success, becoming the Primeira Liga’s top scorer in the 1993–94 season with 21 goals.
In the previous campaign, he scored a career-best 34 goals in 32 games, helping Sadinos earn promotion from the second division and earning him the title of African Footballer of the Year.
In the summer of 1994, Yekini signed with Greek club Olympiacos but left shortly after due to issues with teammates.
His career took a downturn, including a spell in La Liga with Sporting de Gijón. He played for FC Zürich, Club Athlétique Bizertin, and Al-Shabab Riyadh before returning to Africa Sports.
In 2003, at the age of 39, he made a comeback in the Nigerian championship with Julius Berger FC.
In April 2005, at the age of 41, Yekini briefly returned to professional football with Gateway United FC. He holds the record for being Nigeria’s national record goalscorer with 37 goals in 62 appearances.
He played in the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups, famously scoring Nigeria’s first-ever World Cup goal in 1994.
Yekini was instrumental in Nigeria’s victory in the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, where he topped the goal charts and was named the competition’s best player. He also represented Nigeria at the Olympic level in Seoul 1988.
Rashidi Yekini Net Worth
Rashidi Yekini’s estimated net worth or net income ranges between $1 million and $10 million, primarily accumulated from his career as a professional footballer.
Personal Life
Rashidi Yekini was married to three wives and had three daughters named Yemisi, Omoyemi, and Damilola.
