Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, has praised the quality of Serie A, describing Italy’s top flight as one of the best leagues in world football.
The Udinese shot-stopper made the remarks in an interview with the UK Guardian after featuring prominently for the club during the previous campaign.
Okoye made 30 league appearances last season and kept 10 clean sheets as Udinese continued to develop under their current setup.
Looking ahead to the new season, the Nigerian international said his immediate priority is to help Udinese build a strong foundation before setting their sights on a higher position in the league.
“Everything is possible,” Okoye told The Guardian.
“But I think we should talk about that again in February or March. First we have to get the basics right and take it game by game. Then we’ll see where we are.
“We certainly have the quality, the players, an excellent staff, and a solid club behind us. Udinese is a club where a player can really grow and make that leap in quality.
“For me, Serie A remains one of the best leagues in the world and I’m grateful to be part of it. The higher the level of the league, the happier and prouder I am to play in it. We’re working hard and can’t wait to compete against the best.”
Okoye Praises Spain’s Unai Simón
The 28-year-old also singled out Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón for praise, particularly for his performance during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Rather than focusing solely on spectacular saves, Okoye highlighted Simón’s ability to remain composed and influential throughout matches, especially when dealing with balls played deep into the defensive area.
“I found Spain’s Unai Simón very impressive, especially towards the final stages,” Okoye said.
“Not so much for making hundreds of saves, but for the way he remained inside the game, defending deep balls against France. For me, that was goalkeeping of the highest level.”
