Former Nigerian and West Brom Defender identifies Atletico Madrid Prodigy Who “Shaped” His Career

Former Super Eagles Left-back, Ifeanyi Udeze has revealed that former Atletico Madrid winger, Muyiwa Lawal, was one the toughest Opponent he faced and their rivalry over the following years greatly improved his abilities and quality as a young footballer.

Udeze and Lawal were teammates through the National youth teams, and the former narrated how good the now retired Winger was.

While describing the keen yet admirable competition between the two, on his Morning show “No Holds Barred” on Brila FM, Ifeanyi Udeze said it was sad that his former teammate’s career was blighted by numerous injuries.

“Muyiwa Lawal was really difficult to play against; as a Winger he was never scared of taking on any defender,” Udeze recalled.

“Even when challenged, knocked and targeted, Muyiwa would often times come out tops from those duels.”

Ifeanyi Udeze, who went on to play for PAOK Salonika and West Brom, narrated that he often teased the winger during training with scary statements to make him commit mistakes.

“I’d taunt him just to rile him and most times we end up going 1v1, putting on a show, and to be honest it made me a.better player on both ends of the field. He was fast and skillful.”

Muyiwa Lawal was snapped up by Atletico B in 1997 and then went on to represent the senior team between 2000 and 2001.

He moved to Cordoba for another year where he score 8 goals in 26 games, earning him a move to Leganes where he made 36 appearances and scored 6 goals.

In the latter years of his career, He moved to the Middle East,.and subsequently returned home where he retired.