Juventus forward Justin Oboavwoduo has set his sights on the World Cup and Champions League after making his Serie A debut for the Bianconeri’s senior side.
Quick facts
- Oboavwoduo is a 20-year-old Nigerian-born attacker in Juventus Next Gen.
- He names Kylian Mbappé as the player he most enjoys watching.
- His Juventus Serie A debut came against Sassuolo on September 13, 2026.
- He replaced Kerim Alajbegović in the second half of that match.
- Luciano Spalletti gave him instructions to play boldly, dribble and shoot.
The Next Gen striker said he regularly studies Mbappé, believing that observing elite players can help sharpen his own game and allow him to offer more to Juventus.
Oboavwoduo also looked back on his time in Manchester City’s academy, where he developed key parts of his game. He feels that the grounding he received in England made his move to Turin easier to manage.
“My ultimate goals are to win the World Cup and the Champions League,” he said. “Representing a national team means you are among the leading players in your country, while winning a World Cup means being part of the best group in the world. When you are young, you want to win every trophy and score 100 goals. There is nothing wrong with aiming high.”
The forward described himself as a player who wants frequent involvement in possession and enjoys combining with team-mates. His pace makes him a threat when space opens up on the break, while he also wants to take on opponents, create chances and score.
“I want to be a danger in attack, that is how I see my game,” he said. “Among current players, Mbappé is someone I have always admired. He is an extremely dangerous attacker and can play in roles that are close to mine.”
Oboavwoduo said Manchester City placed major emphasis on identifying an individual’s areas for improvement, recognising their strengths and developing those qualities further. He added that the same approach applied across the club, from the first team through the academy age groups.
“That made progression between teams much smoother,” he said. “It taught me the fundamental parts of football, helped me improve my technique and gave me a strong understanding of the game.”
Early start in football
Oboavwoduo said his attachment to the sport began while he was still in nursery school. Football at lunchtime and break quickly became a defining part of his childhood.
“I picked up a ball when I was very young at nursery,” he recalled. “I played during breaks, and my teacher told my mum that I was good and loved playing at lunchtime and break time. From that point, my clearest childhood memories are all about football. It is the first thing I remember.”
Raised alongside three siblings, Oboavwoduo credited his family with playing a central part in his progress. He said their backing made it possible for him to reach his current level.
“My family gave up a lot for me,” he said. “There are four children in our family and we were all energetic and interested in sport. They had to find time to bring me to training and games while dealing with their jobs as well. They did an incredible job in helping me get here. It could not have happened without them.”
The switch from England to Italy brought significant off-pitch adjustments. Oboavwoduo identified learning the language and living away from his family for the first time as the toughest parts of the move.
“Not speaking Italian was one of the main difficulties,” he said. “It was also my first time away from my family. I had to live alone, handle things myself, buy groceries and even get a television. They are everyday tasks you do not really face until you move out. Being away from my home and family in Manchester was the hardest part.”
Despite those challenges, the 20-year-old said he did not take long to decide when Juventus made contact during his spell in Manchester.
“Juventus are Italy’s biggest club and have a remarkable history,” he said. “Once they called and showed genuine interest, it was an easy choice, especially after hearing how they believed I could fit their system and what the plan could be if I worked hard and performed well. It made both me and my family enormously proud.”
Learning from senior Juventus players
Asked about the team-mate from whom he has gained the most, Oboavwoduo pointed to Pierre Kalulu. The pair regularly face each other in training, with Oboavwoduo often operating on the left and Kalulu on the right.
“Kalulu has helped me a lot,” he said. “When I do not understand something, he assists me because he speaks Italian. He also explains what defenders dislike, so I can make the right movements and have more success. Weston McKennie is another good person to have around; he is funny and speaks English as well.”
First-team goal and Serie A debut
Oboavwoduo said scoring his first goal for Juventus’ senior team was an especially proud occasion. He was delighted to have made an impact after getting onto the pitch.
“A goal for Juventus brings huge pride and happiness,” he said. “It was a wonderful feeling to play and help the side. After the game, I spoke with my family and they were so happy — my mum, dad and sisters, as well as the director and all the staff.”
His first Serie A appearance arrived against Sassuolo on September 13, 2026, when he entered after the interval in place of Kerim Alajbegović. While he called the final result disappointing, he said the debut remains one of the standout moments of his career.
“It was slightly bittersweet because of the way the game finished, but Serie A is such a huge competition,” he said. “To debut for Juventus and feel Luciano Spalletti’s confidence when he brought me on in a difficult situation is something I will always remember. I hope it is only the first of many appearances.”
Before sending him on, Spalletti told the attacker to enjoy the occasion, shoot when possible, take on the full-back and try to influence the match. Oboavwoduo said the manager’s message gave him confidence.
“As soon as the game ended, I messaged my mum and dad,” he added. “They had watched hoping I would get on, and they were pleased for me. They also tried to lift my spirits over the result.”
