View source for Nwankwo Kanu

{{short description|Nigerian footballer (born 1976)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Nwankwo Kanu
| image = 1 nwankwo kanu 2017 (edited).jpg
| caption = Kanu in a friendly in 2017
| full_name = Nwankwo Kanu<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/~/media/2FC380172F88401482C3994AF130D59B.ashx |title=List of Players under Written Contract Whose Registrations have been Terminated by Either Party Between 01/07/2012 and 31/07/2012 |publisher=The Football Association |page=36 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023232130/http://www.thefa.com/~/media/2FC380172F88401482C3994AF130D59B.ashx |archive-date=23 October 2019}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|8|1|df=y}}<ref name=Hugman>{{Hugman|10657|access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Owerri]], [[Imo State]], Nigeria
| height = 1.97 m<ref name="PremProfile">{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/1502/Kanu/overview |title=Kanu: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref>
| position = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]]<ref name=Hugman/>
| currentclub = 
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–1992
| youthclubs1 = Federation Works
| years1 = 1992–1993
| clubs1 = [[Heartland F.C.|Iwuanyanwu Nationale]]
| caps1 = 25
| goals1 = 15
| years2 = 1993–1996
| clubs2 = [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]
| caps2 = 54
| goals2 = 25
| years3 = 1996–1999
| clubs3 = [[Inter Milan]]
| caps3 = 12
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 1999–2004
| clubs4 = [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
| caps4 = 119
| goals4 = 30
| years5 = 2004–2006
| clubs5 = [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]]
| caps5 = 53
| goals5 = 7
| years6 = 2006–2012
| clubs6 = [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]]
| caps6 = 143
| goals6 = 20
| totalcaps = 406
| totalgoals = 98
| nationalyears1 = 1993
| nationalteam1 = [[Nigeria national under-17 football team|Nigeria U17]]
| nationalcaps1 = 6
| nationalgoals1 = 5
| nationalyears2 = 1996
| nationalteam2 = [[Nigeria national under-23 football team|Nigeria U23]]
| nationalcaps2 = 6
| nationalgoals2 = 3
| nationalyears3 = 1994–2011
| nationalteam3 = [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Passo Alpuin |first1=Luis Fernando |title=Nwankwo Kanu - International Appearances |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/kanu-intl.html |website=RSSSF}}</ref>
| nationalcaps3 = 86
| nationalgoals3 = 12
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport | Men's [[Football at the Summer Olympics|Football]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|NGA}}}}
{{MedalOlympic}}
{{Medal|W|[[Football at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|1996 Atlanta]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Africa Cup of Nations]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2000 African Cup of Nations|2000]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIFA U-17 World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[1993 FIFA U-17 World Championship|1993]]|}}
}}
'''Nwankwo Kanu''' {{small|({{audio|Ig-Nwankwo Kanu.ogg|listen|help=no}})}} {{post-nominals|country=NGA|OON}} (born 1 August 1976) is a Nigerian former professional [[association football|footballer]] who played as a [[Forward (association football)|forward]]. He was a member of the [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria national team]], and played for [[Heartland F.C.|Iwuanyanwu Nationale]] in his native Nigeria.  He also played for [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] and [[Inter Milan]] before spending the rest of his career in England, playing for [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]], [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] and [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/nwankwo-kanu_prs3465/person.shtml|title=Nwankwo Kanu|website=Eurosport.com}}</ref> He is widely considered one of the greatest African footballers of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SuperSport – Sports video, fixtures, results and news |url=https://supersport.com/ |access-date=23 May 2024 |website=SuperSport |language=en}}</ref> 

A member of the Arsenal 'Invincibles', he was named by the club as one of its greatest ever players.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 July 2024 |title=Gunners Greatest 50 Players |url=https://www.arsenal.com/history/gunners-greatest-50-players |access-date=23 May 2024 |website=www.arsenal.com |language=en}}</ref> He is one of the few Africans to win the [[UEFA Champions League]], [[UEFA Super Cup]] and an Olympic gold medal.

Kanu won a FIFA U-17 World Cup medal, a UEFA Champions League medal, a [[UEFA Cup]] medal, a UEFA Super Cup, an Intercontinental Cup, three [[Eredivisie]] titles, three [[FA Cup]] medals and two [[African Player of the Year]] awards amongst others. He is one of few players to have won the [[Premier League]], FA Cup, Champions League, UEFA Cup and an [[Olympic Gold Medal|Olympic gold medal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=512/edition=197142/matches/match=32249/report.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124001452/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=512/edition=197142/matches/match=32249/report.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 November 2007|title= Olympic Football Tournaments Seoul 1988 – Men |date=3 August 1996|publisher=[[FIFA]]}}</ref> As of April 2021, he made the ninth-most [[Substitute (association football)|substitute]] appearances in Premier League history, appearing from the bench 118 times,<ref>{{cite web |title=Milner breaks Crouch record for substitute appearances |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/2117268 |website=Premier League |access-date=19 January 2025 |date=24 April 2021}}</ref><ref name="50 Greatest African Players of All Time">{{citation|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1781781-the-50-greatest-african-players-of-all-time|title=The 50 Greatest African Players of All Time|website=Bleacher Report.com}}</ref>

He is also a [[UNICEF]] Goodwill Ambassador,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7485713.stm|title= Kanu to tackle homeless problem|date=2 July 2008|website=BBC Sport}}</ref> and African brand ambassador for digital TV operator [[StarTimes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4093/nigerian-football/2015/10/30/16832972/startimes-appoints-kanu-nwankwo-as-brand-ambassador?noBetaRedirect=1|title=StarTimes appoints Kanu Nwankwo as brand ambassador|website=Goal.com|date=30 October 2015|access-date=13 July 2017}}</ref> He is also the owner of Kanu Sports TV, an Internet sports television company.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://aoifootball.com/2018/06/11/kanu-nwankwo-to-launch-first-indigenous-sports-tv/|title= Kanu Nwankwo to launch first indigenous sports TV|date=11 June 2018|publisher=[[AOI Football]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://kanusportstv.com/|title=Official website of Kanu Sports Television|website=kanusportstv.com|date=12 May 2018|access-date=12 May 2018}}</ref>

==Club career==
===Early career===
Born in [[Owerri]], [[Imo State]],<ref name=Hugman/> Kanu began his career at local side Federation Works before moving to Iwuanyanwu Nationale. After a notable performance in Nigeria's victorious [[1993 FIFA U-17 World Championship|U-17 World Championship]] campaign, he was signed by Dutch giants [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] in 1993 for an undisclosed fee.<ref>{{Cite web|title=What was Kanu's crowning glory? {{!}} Goal.com|url=https://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/african-legends-what-was-kanus-greatest-achievement/ckwgf0gpkfno1fgeenzcq95kx|access-date=1 June 2021|website=Goal.com}}</ref> He made his Ajax debut that year and went on to score 25 goals in 54 appearances. Kanu also came on as a sub in Ajax's 1995 [[1995 UEFA Champions League final|UEFA Champions League final]] 1–0 win over [[AC Milan]]. The next year, Ajax reached the final again, but [[1996 UEFA Champions League final|lost]] to [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] on penalties. Kanu started and played the entirety of that match.<ref name="CL-finals"/>

===Inter Milan===
In 1996, Ajax sold Kanu to [[Serie A]] side [[Inter Milan]] for around $4.7 million. That summer he captained the [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria national team]] that won gold at the [[1996 Summer Olympics|Olympics]], and scored two late goals in the semi-finals against powerhouses [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] to overturn a 2–3 scoreline into a 4–3 win in extra time.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Olympic Football Tournaments 2020 - Men - News - Africa's golden Olympic history |url=https://www.fifa.com/mensolympic/news/africa-s-golden-olympic-history|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312180053/https://www.fifa.com/mensolympic/news/africa-s-golden-olympic-history|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 March 2020|last=FIFA.com|website=www.fifa.com|language=en-GB|access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref> Kanu was also named [[African Footballer of the Year]] for that year.<ref name=Bio>{{cite web|url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2017/08/22/nwankwo-kanu-and-the-languid-brilliance-of-nigerias-most-celebrated-footballer/|title=NWANKWO KANU AND THE LANGUID BRILLIANCE OF NIGERIA'S MOST CELEBRATED FOOTBALLER|website=These Football Times.co|date=21 August 2017}}</ref>

However, soon after returning from the Olympics, Kanu underwent a medical examination at Inter, which revealed a serious [[heart]] defect, and it was believed by doctors that his career was over.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/kanu-told-he-may-never-play-again-1.82988 |title=Kanu told he may never play again |date=4 September 1996 |access-date=25 April 2021 |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref> 
Inter could have resolved the contract for not having passed the medical test, but instead Inter president [[Massimo Moratti]] decided to keep the player and paid the risky operation in the best clinic for chirurgical heart operations in Cleveland to replace an [[aortic valve]] caused by an innate malformation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Estero/Primo_Piano/2006/11_Novembre/10/kanu.shtml |title=Kanu: "Grazie a Dio e a Moratti"|website=gazzetta.it |date=10 November 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/30/sports/nigerian-star-recovering-from-surgery.html |title=Nigerian Star Recovering From Surgery |date=30 November 1996 |access-date=25 April 2021 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimouomo.com/nostro-signore-moratti |title=Nostro Signore Moratti|website=ultimouomo.com |date=6 November 2013}}</ref>

He underwent successful surgery in November and did not return to his club until April 1997. In interviews, Kanu frequently cites his faith as a Christian,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Jeremy |title=Portsmouth thrive on power of prayer and goals from born-again Kanu |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/oct/30/match.sport |work=The Guardian |date=30 October 2006 |access-date=11 March 2008}}</ref> and to be grateful to Moratti, he has often mentioned this trying time of his career as an occasion when he prayed to God. Kanu's experience also led to his founding the Kanu Heart Foundation, an organisation that helps predominantly young African children who suffer heart defects and whose work was expanded to provide aid for homeless children in 2008.<ref name="homeless">{{cite web|last=Okeleji |first=Oluwashina |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7485713.stm |title=Kanu to tackle homeless problem |website=BBC Sport |date=2 July 2008 |access-date=1 December 2012}}</ref>

===Arsenal===
In February 1999, after just twelve league games and one goal for Inter, Kanu was signed by [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] for approximately £4.15 million. He made his debut for Arsenal, against [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] in the [[FA Cup]]. With the score 1–1 and ten minutes to go, the Sheffield United goalkeeper [[Alan Kelly Jr.|Alan Kelly]] kicked the ball out of touch so that treatment could be given to [[Lee Morris (footballer)|Lee Morris]]. When the ball was thrown back into play by [[Ray Parlour]], although it was intended for Kelly, Kanu chased the throw-in down the right wing unchallenged and centered the ball for [[Marc Overmars]], who scored to make the match 2–1. After the match, Arsenal manager [[Arsène Wenger]] accepted that it was not correct sportsmanship and offered to re-play the match<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HfxOAAAAIBAJ&pg=5223,4037100&dq=arsenal+sheffield+fa+cup&hl=en |title=Sport-wise it's not right |publisher=New Straits Times |date=15 February 1999 |access-date=1 December 2012}}</ref> which was again won by Arsenal.<ref>{{cite news|last=Shaw |first=Phil |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-overmars-seals-action-replay-1072977.html |title=Football: Overmars seals action replay – Sport |work=The Independent |date=24 February 1999 |access-date=1 December 2012}}</ref>

Despite the events overshadowing his debut, Kanu's career was quickly revived at Arsenal. He scored his first goal for the club in the next round of the cup against [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]], coming off the bench to net the only goal of the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_cup/291593.stm|title=Kanu's cup delight|website=BBC Sport}}</ref> He quickly became known for his goal scoring prowess from the bench, scoring important goals against [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]], [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] and [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] as a substitute.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/arsenal-vs-sheff-wed/278000|title=Arsenal 3–0 Sheffield Wednesday|website=Sky Sports.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/tottenham-vs-arsenal/278083|title=Tottenham 1–3 Arsenal|website=Sky Sports.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/arsenal-v-aston-villa-16-may-1999-24076/|title=Arsenal 1–0 Aston Villa|website=11v11.com}}</ref> He became very popular among the fans for his two-fingered salute which started in 1999 against [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] – something that he later explained was based on the team's nickname, The Gunners.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chronicle.ng/2016/12/13/video-arsenal-design-xmas-keyring-from-kanu-nwankwos-shirt/|title=VIDEO: ARSENAL DESIGN XMAS KEYRING FROM KANU NWANKWO'S SHIRT|website=Chronicle.ng|date=13 December 2016 }}</ref>

Kanu was named African Footballer of the Year for the second time in 1999. In the [[1999–2000 FA Premier League|1999–2000 season]], he scored 17 times in 50 matches for the Gunners, including a hat-trick in fifteen minutes against Chelsea in October 1999 to turn a 2–0 deficit into a 3–2 victory. In August 2001, Arsenal rejected a bid from [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] of around £7m for Kanu.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Arsenal reject Kanu bid|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1492347.stm|website=BBC Sport|date=15 August 2001|access-date=24 August 2011}}</ref> However, Kanu's appearances for Arsenal gradually became less frequent, particularly after the emergence of [[Thierry Henry]] as Arsenal's first choice striker with Kanu being mainly used as a substitute. Kanu then won the 2003 [[FA Cup]] with Arsenal.<ref>{{Soccerbase season|4049|2003|name=Nwankwo Kanu|access-date=17 November 2013}}</ref> Along with other famous players, such as Henry and [[Robert Pires]], Kanu is a member of the "Invincibles", the Arsenal side that finished the [[2003–04 Premier League|2003–04 season of the Premier League]] undefeated. He played 197 games for Arsenal, scoring 44 goals. In the summer of 2004, after his contract with Arsenal ended, he moved to [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] on a free transfer. In 2008, Kanu was voted 13th in the "Gunners' Greatest 50 Players" poll.<ref name="greatest50">{{cite web|url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/gunners-greatest-players-13.-kanu|title=Gunners' Greatest Players – 13. Kanu|website=Arsenal.com|date=9 July 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102164522/http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/gunners-greatest-players-13.-kanu|archive-date=2 November 2011}}</ref>

In the summer of 2006, Kanu played as a guest for [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] in [[Dennis Bergkamp]]'s testimonial game, the first match to be played in Arsenal's new [[Emirates Stadium]]. The game was tied 1–1 when Kanu scored the winning goal, making him the third person to score in the [[stadium]]. At the end of the match, Kanu joined the rest of the Arsenal side in hoisting the retired Dutchman on their shoulders as fans gave him a standing ovation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/jul/23/newsstory.sport6|title=Bergkamp bids farewell|website=The Guardian.com|date=22 July 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/pictures-dennis-bergkamp-testimonial|title=Pictures: Dennis Bergkamp's testimonial|website=Arsenal.com|date=23 December 2023 }}</ref>
He remains a popular figure at Arsenal, being applauded when he appears at the Emirates Stadium.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.planetfootball.com/nostalgia/salute-kanu-mercurial-genius-ultimate-arsenal-cult-hero/|title=A salute to Kanu, mercurial genius and ultimate Arsenal cult hero|website=Planet Football.com|date=5 May 2021}}</ref> During his time with the club, he wore the number 25 shirt.<ref name="Players to Watch">{{cite web |url=https://www.dw.com/en/world-cup-players-to-watch/g-1800549 |title=World Cup Players to Watch – Togo: Emmanuel Adebayor |publisher=DW.com |access-date=6 June 2020 }}</ref>

===West Bromwich Albion===
West Bromwich Albion had just been promoted to the [[Premier League]] for the second time in the space of two years. Kanu started as a regular for the club, making his debut in a 1–1 draw away at Blackburn Rovers on 14 August 2004. He scored his first goal for Albion on 18 September 2004, an 88th-minute equalizer in a 1–1 home draw against Fulham.{{cn|date=June 2022}} In a match against [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] on 14 November 2004, Kanu was guilty of an incredible miss in injury time, with Albion 2–1 down. Kanu had sent a low cross over the bar from a yard away from the goal line. Manager [[Bryan Robson]] was seen in TV footage mouthing the words "How did he miss that?", and Kanu's howler was crowned "Miss of the Season" by many media outlets in their end-of-season reviews.<ref>{{Cite web|date=21 November 2012|title='Impossible' miss from Kanu spoils Robson's return|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/impossible-miss-from-kanu-spoils-robson-s-return-20317.html|access-date=1 June 2021|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref> Nevertheless, the [[2004–05 in English football|2004–05]] season was ultimately a memorable one for West Bromwich Albion, as they became the first club to avoid relegation from the Premier League after being bottom of the table at Christmas.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jain|first=Kartik|date=16 April 2020|title=West Brom's GREAT ESCAPE - Probably the most dramatic relegation escape|url=https://premierleaguenewsnow.com/coronavirus-lockdown-series-west-bromwich-great-escape-probably-most-dramatic-relegation-escape-premier-league-era-2004-05/|access-date=1 June 2021|website=premierleaguenewsnow.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

One of the most memorable games of the [[2005–06 in English football|2005–06]] season for Kanu came with the visit of his former club Arsenal to [[The Hawthorns]] on 15 October 2005. [[Philippe Senderos]] put the visitors ahead in the 17th minute, but Kanu equalised shortly before half time. West Brom went on to win the match 2–1 with a spectacular strike from [[Darren Carter]]. It was their first home win over Arsenal since 1973,<ref>{{Cite news| last = P.bacon| first = Chris| title = Injury-ravaged Arsenal losing sight of leaders| newspaper = [[The Independent]]| date = 17 October 2005}}</ref> and the first time that they had come from behind to win a Premier League game.<ref>{{Cite news| date = 15 October 2005| url = http://www.wba.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10366~30224,00.html| title = WBA vs Arsenal| publisher = Official Albion website| access-date = 10 August 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090113092533/http://www.wba.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10366~30224,00.html| archive-date = 13 January 2009| url-status = dead| df = dmy-all}}</ref> But such highlights were rare for Albion that season, and the club was relegated at the end of 2005–06. Kanu's contract had expired, and he chose not to renew it. In his two years at The Hawthorns he made a total of 58 appearances – 16 of them as a substitute – and scored nine goals.{{cn|date=June 2022}}

===Portsmouth===
[[File:Portsmouth kickoff vs AC Milan.jpg|thumb|Portsmouth kickoff vs AC Milan.]]

Kanu was a free agent following his departure from West Brom, and he signed for [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] on a one-year deal shortly before the start of the [[2006–07 in English football|2006–07]] season.<ref>{{Cite news| date = 17 August 2006| url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/5261642.stm| title = Portsmouth complete Kanu signing| website = BBC Sport| access-date = 10 August 2007}}</ref> Pompey had undergone a revival in the second half of the previous campaign, following the return of [[Harry Redknapp]] as manager, avoiding relegation by four points after being in serious danger at the turn of the year. At the start of the 2006–07 season, they were undefeated in their first five games, during which they did not concede a single goal. Kanu made his debut for Portsmouth as a substitute against [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] on 19 August 2006, the opening day of the 2006–07 Premier League season. He scored twice and missed a penalty.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/5266322.stm|title=Middlesbrough 0–4 Portsmouth|website=BBC Sport|date=28 August 2006 }}</ref> Kanu went on to finish the season as the top goal scorer for Portsmouth, with 12 goals altogether. He then signed a new one-year deal with the club.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/6933628.stm|title=Kanu signs one-year Pompey deal|website=BBC Sport|date=6 August 2007 }}</ref>

[[File:Kanu.jpg|thumb|upright|Kanu playing for [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] in 2007]]

In his second season at Portsmouth, Kanu scored in both the [[FA Cup]] 1–0 semi-final win against [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] and the 1–0 win in the [[2008 FA Cup final|final]] against [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]], earning him a third [[2007–08 FA Cup|FA Cup]] winner's medal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/7320356.stm|title=West Brom 0–1 Portsmouth|website=BBC Sport|date=5 April 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2300733/FA-Cup-final-Kanu-punishes-Cardiff-to-win-Cup.html|title=FA Cup final: Kanu punishes Cardiff to win Cup|website=Telegraph.co.uk|date=18 May 2008 }}</ref>

His first goal of the [[2008–09 in English football|2008–09 season]] put Portsmouth 2–0 up in their eventual 2–2 [[2008-09 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]] draw with Italian club AC Milan. He later scored the winning goal against [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]], which ensured Pompey's safety. It was his only Premier League goal of 2008–09. He re-signed with Pompey in August 2010, with an eye on becoming a coach when he retired.<ref>[http://africanfootball.mtnfootball.com/live/content.php?Item_ID=32822 Kanu to be coach (MTNfootball.com)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901033909/http://africanfootball.mtnfootball.com/live/content.php?Item_ID=32822 |date=1 September 2010 }}. Africanfootball.mtnfootball.com (28 August 2010). Retrieved on 11 January 2012.</ref> Kanu signed a three-year deal and kept the [[Squad number (association football)|number 27 shirt]],<ref>[http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/LatestNews/news/Pompey-Sign-Kanu-And-Rocha-1348.aspx Pompey sign Kanu and Rocha] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913031519/http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/LatestNews/news/Pompey-Sign-Kanu-And-Rocha-1348.aspx |date=13 September 2010 }}. Portsmouthfc.co.uk. Retrieved on 11 January 2012.</ref> but was not a regular starter throughout the course of the season and only managed two goals.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 March 2012|title=You're Too Old, Pompey Boss Tells Kanu, Benjani|url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2012/03/28/youre-too-old-pompey-boss-tells-kanu-benjani/|access-date=1 June 2021|website=P.M. News|language=en-US}}</ref>

During the [[2011–12 in English football|2011–12 season]], his playing time was reduced, appearing only from the bench. After the departure of [[Steve Cotterill]], and the arrival of [[Michael Appleton]], he was also removed from the bench, due to fitness and injury problems. By May 2012, aided by a point deduction for entering administration Portsmouth had found themselves in a relegation battle which eventually ended in them relegated to [[EFL League One|League One]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Michael Appleton: My time as Pompey boss was a crazy but enjoyable experience|url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/lincoln-manager-michael-appleton-my-time-portsmouth-was-crazy-enjoyable-experience-1307332|access-date=1 June 2021|website=www.portsmouth.co.uk|date=21 October 2019 |language=en}}</ref> To cut costs the Administrator hoped to reach agreement to terminate the contracts of Kanu along with six other players due to them being the highest-earning players at the club. On 9 July 2012, it was announced that Kanu and [[Aaron Mokoena]] were expected to leave the club after failing to attend the first day back at pre-season training.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nwankwo Kanu and Aaron Mokoena set for Portsmouth exit|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18772708|website=BBC Sport|date=9 July 2012|access-date=31 July 2012}}</ref> Kanu threatened to sue Portsmouth for unpaid back wages.<ref name=mirror2013-04-02/> On 30 July, Kanu agreed to leave Portsmouth, but he reiterated that he was still in a dispute over the unpaid wages that the club owed him.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kanu's Portsmouth exit buoys administrator Trevor Birch|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19047263|website=BBC Sport|date=30 July 2012|access-date=31 July 2012}}</ref> In April 2013 he confirmed that he had dropped the case and let the club off the £3 million he claimed he was owed.<ref name=mirror2013-04-02>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-legend-kanu-reveals-wrote-1798772|title=Kanu believe it! Arsenal legend reveals he wrote off £3m from Portsmouth when he retired|last=Football|first=Mirror|date=2 April 2013|work=mirror|access-date=14 May 2018}}</ref>

==International career==
Kanu was a member of the [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria national team]] from 1994 to 2011, making his debut in a [[Exhibition game|friendly]] against [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]]. Earlier on at the start of his career, Kanu was instrumental in Nigeria's overall success at the [[1993 FIFA U-17 World Championship]] in Japan and their subsequent 2–1 victory over Ghana in the final. With five goals, he was the second joint-scorer in the tournament with [[Peter Anosike]] and [[Manuel Neira]], behind compatriot and captain [[Wilson Oruma]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Top ten African players in FIFA World Cup history|url=https://sportinglife.ng/top-ten-african-players-fifa-world-cup-history/|date=14 June 2018|website=Sporting Life|language=en-US|access-date=24 May 2020}}</ref>

As well as winning the Olympic gold in the football event at the [[Football at the 1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Olympics]] in Atlanta, where he scored the winning goal in the [[Football at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|4–3 semi-final win over Brazil]], his second goal of the match,<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071124001452/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=512/edition=197142/matches/match=32249/report.html Olympic Football Tournaments Atlanta 1996 – Men. Nigeria – Argentina]}}. Fifa.com Report. 3 August 1996. Retrieved on 11 January 2012.</ref> Kanu participated at the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]] and [[2002 FIFA World Cup]]s. On 24 June 2010, Kanu ended his international career following Nigeria's exit from the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]] in South Africa. The Super Eagles lost their group matches against [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] and [[Greece national football team|Greece]], before drawing 2–2 with [[South Korea national football team|South Korea]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8759861.stm|title=World Cup 2010: Kanu calls time on Nigeria career|date=24 June 2010|website=BBC Sport|first=Oluwashina|last=Okeleji|access-date=30 June 2010}}</ref> He won 86 caps and scored 13 goals for his country and was the joint most capped Nigerian player of all-time alongside [[Muda Lawal]], until [[Joseph Yobo]] surpassed both players in 2012, winning his 87th cap.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2012/03/02/2940504/joseph-yobo-nwankwo-kanu-the-five-most-capped-nigerian|title=Joseph Yobo, Nwankwo Kanu & the five most capped Nigerian players|website=www.goal.com|date=2 March 2012|access-date=4 May 2020}}</ref> Despite being a striker, he wore the number 4 shirt for the national team.<ref name="Players to Watch"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/fifa-world-cup/story/3523254/10-facts-about-super-eagles-world-cup-jersey-numbers |title=10 Facts about Super Eagles' World Cup jersey numbers |publisher=ESPN FC |last1=Ugbane |first1=Dami |date=12 June 2018 |access-date=6 June 2020 }}</ref>

==Style of play==
Despite his physical strength, slender frame, and large stature of 1.97 m (6 ft 6 in), Kanu was a talented player, who was quick and elegant in possession, and who possessed an excellent touch on the ball and nimble footwork; he was also highly regarded in the media for his technical skills, [[dribbling (association football)|dribbling]] ability, and close control, as well as his flair and use of [[Dummy (football)|feints]], which made him an unpredictable player on the pitch. He was also an intelligent player, who possessed good vision and movement, as well as being a good passer, who had the ability to read the game and an eye for the final ball, which – along with his timing and finishing ability – allowed him both to score and create goals; however, he also lacked significant pace, and drew criticism at times in the media over his work-rate, "languid" playing style, and occasional tendency to miss easy goalscoring opportunities.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1378675-peter-crouch-and-the-15-most-awkward-soccer-players-in-the-world |title=Peter Crouch and the 15 Most Awkward Soccer Players in the World |publisher=Bleacher Report |date=23 October 2012 |access-date=1 June 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/84/africa/2011/06/17/2536066/nwankwo-kanu-calls-it-quits-from-football-long-live-the |title=Nwankwo Kanu calls it quits from football, long live the legend! |publisher=Goal.com |last1=Adewuyi |first1=Lolade |date=17 June 2011 |access-date=1 June 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/news/kanu-s-fabulous-15-minutes-2460965 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806040010/https://www.fifa.com/news/kanu-s-fabulous-15-minutes-2460965 |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 August 2020 |title=Kanu's fabulous 15 minutes |publisher=FIFA.com |date=23 October 2014 |access-date=1 June 2020 }}</ref><ref name="graduate">{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/6196599.stm |title=African strikers graduate |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 December 2006 |access-date=1 June 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en/lists/from-vieira-to-ozil-arsene-wengers-15-best-signings-for/15eeb7nwsl2631sw67h0q2btc9 |title=From Vieira to Ozil: Arsene Wenger's 15 best signings for Arsenal |publisher=Goal.com |date=11 May 2018 |access-date=1 June 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/gallery/rated-all-time-best-and-worst-premier-league-players-every-country-2018-world-cup |title=Rated! The all-time best (and worst) Premier League players from EVERY country at the 2018 World Cup |publisher=FourFourTwo |last1=Lea |first1=Greg |date=19 June 2018 |access-date=1 June 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/hit-or-miss-nwankwo-kanu-jkc7pc0vrdv |title=Hit or miss: Nwankwo Kanu |work=[[The Times]] |date=29 August 2006 |access-date=1 June 2020 }}</ref><ref name="all heart">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/alansmith/2333873/Kanu-all-heart-on-and-off-the-pitch.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/alansmith/2333873/Kanu-all-heart-on-and-off-the-pitch.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Kanu all heart, on and off the pitch |work=The Telegraph |last1=Smith |first1=Alan |date=18 March 2006 |access-date=1 June 2020 }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/89/africa/2010/03/22/1845010/nwankwo-kanu-is-too-good-to-miss-the-world-cup-portsmouths-tommy- |title=Nwankwo Kanu Is Too Good To Miss The World Cup - Portsmouth's Tommy Smith |publisher=Goal.com |last1=Adewuyi |first1=Lolade |date=22 March 2010 |access-date=1 June 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/17742/olympics/2016/08/04/26213082/kanu-the-lanky-boy-who-shook-the-world-at-atlanta-96 |title=Kanu: The lanky boy who shook the world at Atlanta '96 |publisher=Goal.com |last1=Adewuyi |first1=Lolade |date=4 August 2016 |access-date=6 June 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1946410-top-100-premier-league-imports-of-all-time |title=Top 100 Premier League Imports of All Time |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Matchett |first1=Karl |date=7 February 2014 |access-date=6 June 2020 }}</ref><ref name="how good were the Ajax team of Finidi and Kanu?">{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/just-how-good-were-the-ajax-team-of-finidi-and-kanu/bp5mf1bnd5wm1v9uwjfcd9ln2 |title=Just how good were the Ajax team of Finidi and Kanu? |publisher=Goal.com |last1=Chukwu |first1=Solace |date=24 May 2017 |access-date=6 June 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/927409-fancy-footwork-50-of-the-best-dribblers-in-world-football |title=50 Best Dribblers in World Football |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Eanet |first1=Lindsay |date=7 November 2011 |access-date=6 June 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goal.com/en/lists/african-legends-cup-of-nations-kanu-vs-abedi-pele/1tero09ce3q3z1crz4ub04q02g |title=African Legends Cup of Nations: Kanu vs Abedi Pele |publisher=Goal.com |last1=Dove |first1=Ed |date=9 May 2020 |access-date=6 June 2020 }}</ref>

Although he was often deployed as a [[Striker (association football)|striker]],<ref name="treccani">{{cite web |url=http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/nwankwo-kanu_%28Enciclopedia-dello-Sport%29/ |title=KANU, Nwankwo |publisher=Treccani: Enciclopedia dello Sport (2002) |language=it |last1=Monti |first1=Fabio |access-date=1 June 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/nwankwo-kanu-interview-arsenal-arsene-wenger-african-football-a8480341.html |title=Nwankwo Kanu: 'Trophies are good but saving somebody who could die, giving them hope of life, it means a lot to me' |work=The Independent |last1=Ostleree |first1=Lawrence |date=6 August 2018 |access-date=6 June 2020 }}</ref> his creativity also allowed him to operate in a more [[Second striker|withdrawn attacking role]] behind or supporting the main striker, or even in an [[Attacking midfielder|advanced]] [[Playmaker|playmaking]] role.<ref name="how good were the Ajax team of Finidi and Kanu?"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/us/gallery/25-best-arsenal-players-premier-league-era |title=The 25 best Arsenal players of the Premier League era |publisher=FourFourTwo |last1=Lea |first1=Greg |date=2 April 2019 |access-date=1 June 2020 }}</ref> Although his height made him a strong presence in the air, he was more adept at scoring with his feet than with his head, despite his size, although he improved upon his aerial game in his later career.<ref name="graduate"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/886906-15-most-awkward-yet-successful-players-in-world-football-history |title=Soccer: Javier Hernandez and the 15 Most Awkward, Yet Successful Players Ever |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Dadabhoy |first1=Saqib Ahmed |date=10 October 2011 |access-date=1 June 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/oct/30/match.sport |title=Portsmouth thrive on power of prayer and goals from born-again Kanu |work=The Guardian |last1=Wilson |first1=Jeremy |date=29 October 2006 |access-date=1 June 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Estero/Primo_Piano/2006/11_Novembre/10/kanu.shtml |title=Kanu: "Grazie a Dio e a Moratti" |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it |date=10 November 2006 |access-date=6 June 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Fanuli |first1=Marco |title=Calcio giovanile, il 2015 sarà l'anno dello Spezia? |url=https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2014/12/27/calcio-giovanile-2015-lanno-spezia/1298208/ |access-date=6 June 2020 |work=Il Fatto Quotidiano |date=27 December 2014 |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footballwengers-forces-lack-directness-1094086.html |title=Football:Wenger's forces lack directness |work=The Independent |date=17 May 1999 |access-date=6 June 2020 }}</ref> He was also known for his determination and ability to hold-up the ball with his back to goal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/africa/cup_of_nations/cup_features/602114.stm |title=African stars light up Premiership |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 January 2000 |access-date=6 June 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/dec/22/sport.comment3 |title=How Gunners suffer from deep defence |work=The Guardian |last1=Atkinson |first1=Ron |date=21 December 2003 |access-date=6 June 2020 }}</ref> Moreover, his ability to score decisive goals when coming off the bench earned him a reputation as a "super sub" in the media during his time with Arsenal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/07/03/all-time-greatest-nigeria-squad/ |title=All-Time Greatest Nigeria Squad |publisher=www.hitc.com |last1=Harmer |first1=Alfie Potts |date=3 July 2017 |access-date=6 June 2020 }}</ref> However, despite being a gifted player, he was also known for being inconsistent,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11698/2306516/kanu-seals-baggies-switch |title=Kanu seals Baggies switch |last1=Dunn |first1=Alex |work=Sky Sports |access-date=3 July 2020 }}</ref> and his congenital heart defect is thought to have had a negative impact on his career and fitness, although he was able to improve his stamina following corrective surgery through his training.<ref name="all heart"/><ref name="Arsene's anniversary"/><ref name="Fucina Ajax">{{cite web |url=https://www.90min.com/it/posts/6363541-fucina-ajax-i-giocatori-scoperti-dai-lancieri-negli-ultimi-30-anni-e-diventati-top-player |title=Fucina Ajax: i giocatori scoperti dai Lancieri negli ultimi 30 anni e diventati top player |publisher=90min.com |language=it |last1=Martini |first1=Davide |date=8 May 2019 |access-date=6 June 2020 }}</ref> He is considered by pundits to be one of the greatest African players of all time,<ref name="50 Greatest African Players of All Time"/> and by some, as the greatest Nigerian player ever.<ref name="Fucina Ajax"/>

==Personal life==
Kanu is a native of [[Abia State]], southeast Nigeria,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nigerianmonitor.com/nwankwo-kanu-buries-motherphotos-from-the-burial-of-nwankwo-kanus-mother/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205081945/http://www.nigerianmonitor.com/nwankwo-kanu-buries-motherphotos-from-the-burial-of-nwankwo-kanus-mother/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=5 December 2016|title=Nwankwo Kanu Buries Mother{{!}}Photos From The Burial Of Nwankwo Kanu's Mother|website=www.nigerianmonitor.com|language=en-US|access-date=14 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://allafrica.com/stories|title=Nigeria/Kenya: Kanu Buries Dad - allAfrica.com|website=www.allafrica.com|language=en-US|access-date=17 December 2007}}</ref> and a member of the [[Aro people|Aro]] sub-group of the [[Igbo people|Igbo]] ethnic group.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/africa/cup_of_nations/cup_news/639394.stm |title=Semi-final success unites Nigeria |website=BBC News |date=11 February 2000 |quote=Two of the Super Eagles' top international stars, Arsenal star Nwankwo Kanu and Paris St Germain's Augustine 'Jay-Jay' Okocha are Ibo. |access-date=25 January 2009}}</ref> Nwankwo means "Child born on Nkwo market day" in the [[Igbo language]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nigerian.name/w/index.php?|title=Meaning of Nwankwo in Nigerian|website=Nigerian.name|date=24 January 2008|access-date=11 January 2012}}</ref>

Kanu's younger brother, [[Christopher Kanu|Christopher]], was also a footballer, who played as a [[Defender (association football)|defender]];<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11685/2288531/fry-plays-down-kanu-links |title=Fry plays down Kanu links |last1=Fudge |first1=Simon |work=Sky Sports |access-date=6 June 2020 }}</ref> he also has another younger brother, Ogbonna.<ref name="corrective heart surgery">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/26419232 |title=Kanu has corrective heart surgery |publisher=BBC Sport |last1=Okeleji |first1=Oluwashina |date=3 March 2014 |access-date=6 June 2020 }}</ref> Kanu is a [[Christianity|Christian]].<ref name="all heart"/>

Kanu was born with a congenital heart defect, which impeded his aortic valve from closing properly; it was discovered and operated on in 1996. Although it was feared that he would not play again, and that it would affect his career, he made a full recovery.<ref name="all heart"/><ref name="Arsene's anniversary">{{cite web |url=https://www.thescore.com/epl/news/1115219 |title=Arsene's anniversary: Top 20 players from Wenger's Arsenal tenure |publisher=The Score |last1=Chandler |first1=Michael J. |date=30 September 2016 |access-date=6 June 2020 }}</ref> He undergoes an annual medical check-up for the condition. In March 2014, he successfully underwent corrective heart surgery once again, in the United States.<ref name="corrective heart surgery"/>

==Philanthropy==
Kanu's own experience with a congenital heart defect moved him to set up the "Kanu Heart Foundation" in 2000, a foundation which aims to tackle homelessness, and which also built five hospitals in Africa to treat children with undiagnosed heart disease and provide them surgery.<ref name="homeless"/><ref name="corrective heart surgery"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kanuheartfoundationng.com/ |title=The Kanu Heart Foundation |publisher=www.kanuheartfoundationng.com |access-date=6 June 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/sep/14/nwankwo-kanu-we-have-saved-542-arsenal |title=Nwankwo Kanu: 'We have saved 542 lives. This means more than football' |work=The Guardian |last1=Hytner |first1=Dave |date=14 September 2018 |access-date=6 June 2020 }}</ref>

The Kanu Heart Foundation has spent about $4.2 million, an average of $10,000.00 per person, on surgeries outside Nigeria. Tackling homelessness in Africa, Kanu Heart Foundation has to date funded the construction of five hospitals across the continent to treat children with undiagnosed heart disease and provide them life-changing medical care.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thefirstgroup.com/en/corporate-social-responsibility/enriching-young-lives/the-kanu-heart-foundation/ | title=The Kanu Heart Foundation }}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National Cup
!colspan="2"|League Cup
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|[[Heartland F.C.|Iwuanyanwu Nationale]]
|1992–93<ref>{{NFT|4814|name=Nwankwo Kanu|accessdate=5 March 2012}}</ref>
|[[Nigerian Premier League]]
|25||15||||||||||||||colspan="2"|–||25||15
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[AFC Ajax|Ajax]]
|[[1993–94 Eredivisie|1993–94]]
|[[Eredivisie]]
|6||2||0||0||colspan="2"|–||||||colspan="2"|–||6||2
|-
|[[1994–95 AFC Ajax season|1994–95]]
|Eredivisie
|18||10||1||1||colspan="2"|–||7{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}||1||colspan="2"|–||26||12
|-
|[[1995–96 AFC Ajax season|1995–96]]
|Eredivisie
|30||13||0||0||colspan="2"|–||9{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||3{{efn|One appearance in [[1995 Intercontinental Cup]], one appearance in [[1995 UEFA Super Cup]], one appearance in [[1995 Dutch Supercup]]}}||0||42||13
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!54!!25!!1!!1!!0!!0!!16!!1!!3!!0!!74!!27
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Inter Milan]]
|[[1996–97 Inter Milan season|1996–97]]<ref name="wf">{{cite web |title=Nwankwo Kanu » Club matches |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe19551/nwankwo-kanu/club-matches/ |website=worldfootball.net |date=15 January 2019 |access-date=6 January 2022}}</ref>
|[[Serie A]]
|0||0||||||colspan="2"|–||0||0||colspan="2"|–||0||0
|-
|[[1997–98 Inter Milan season|1997–98]]<ref name="wf"/>
|Serie A
|11||1||2||0||colspan="2"|–||5{{efn|name=UC}}||0||colspan="2"|–||18||1
|-
|[[1998–99 Inter Milan season|1998–99]]<ref name="wf"/>
|Serie A
|1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||||||colspan="2"|–||2||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!12!!1!!3!!0!!0!!0!!5!!0!!0!!0!!20!!1
|-
|rowspan="7"|[[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]
|[[1998–99 Arsenal F.C. season|1998–99]]<ref name="sb">{{Soccerbase|4049|accessdate=5 March 2012}}</ref>
|[[Premier League]]
|12||6||5||1||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||17||7
|-
|[[1999–2000 Arsenal F.C. season|1999–2000]]<ref name="sb"/>
|Premier League
|31||12||2||0||1||1||15{{efn|Appearances in [[1999–2000 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]] and [[1999–2000 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]]}}||3||1{{efn|One appearance in [[1999 FA Charity Shield]]}}||1||50||17
|-
|[[2000–01 Arsenal F.C. season|2000–01]]<ref name="sb"/>
|Premier League
|27||3||1||0||0||0||14{{efn|name=UCL}}||2||colspan="2"|–||42||5
|-
|[[2001–02 Arsenal F.C. season|2001–02]]<ref name="sb"/>
|Premier League
|23||3||5||2||2||1||9{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|–||39||6
|-
|[[2002–03 Arsenal F.C. season|2002–03]]<ref name="sb"/>
|Premier League
|16||5||1||0||1||0||8{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||colspan="2"|–||26||6
|-
|[[2003–04 Arsenal F.C. season|2003–04]]<ref name="sb"/>
|Premier League
|10||1||3||0||4||2||7{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|–||24||3
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!119!!30!!17!!3!!8!!4!!53!!6!!1!!1!!198!!44
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]]
|[[2004–05 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season|2004–05]]<ref name="sb"/>
|Premier League
|28||2||2||1||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||30||3
|-
|[[2005–06 West Bromwich Albion F.C. season|2005–06]]<ref name="sb"/>
|Premier League
|25||5||1||0||2||1||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||28||6
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!53!!7!!3!!1!!2!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!58!!9
|-
|rowspan="7"|[[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]]
|[[2006–07 Portsmouth F.C. season|2006–07]]<ref name="sb"/>
|Premier League
|36||10||2||2||0||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||38||12
|-
|[[2007–08 Portsmouth F.C. season|2007–08]]<ref name="sb"/>
|Premier League
|25||4||5||2||1||1||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||31||7
|-
|[[2008–09 Portsmouth F.C. season|2008–09]]<ref name="sb"/>
|Premier League
|17||1||2||0||1||0||5{{efn|name=UC|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||1||colspan="2"|–||25||2
|-
|[[2009–10 Portsmouth F.C. season|2009–10]]<ref name="sb"/>
|Premier League
|23||2||1||0||4||2||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||28||4
|-
|[[2010–11 Portsmouth F.C. season|2010–11]]<ref name="sb"/>
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
|32||2||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||34||2
|-
|[[2011–12 Portsmouth F.C. season|2011–12]]<ref name="sb"/>
|Championship
|10||1||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||11||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!143!!20!!11!!4!!8!!3!!5!!1!!0!!0!!167!!28
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!406!!98!!35!!9!!18!!8!!79!!8!!4!!1!!542!!124
|}

{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/kanu-intl.html Nwankwo Kanu – International Appearances]. RSSSF. Retrieved on 11 January 2012.</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
| rowspan="18" |[[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]]
|1994||3||0
|-
|1995||2||1
|-
|1996
|0
|0
|-
|1997||1||0
|-
|1998||5||1
|-
|1999
|0
|0
|-
|2000||10||1
|-
|2001||6||2
|-
|2002||11||0
|-
|2003||4||3
|-
|2004||7||0
|-
|2005||6||2
|-
|2006||8||0
|-
|2007||6||2
|-
|2008||6||0
|-
|2009||5||0
|-
|2010||5||0
|-
|2011||1||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total!!86!!12
|}

:''Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kanu goal.''{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Nwankwo Kanu
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| align="center"|1 || 21 October 1995 || [[Pakhtakor Markaziy Stadium]], [[Tashkent]] || {{fb|UZB}} || align="center"|3–1 || align="center"|3–2 || 1995 [[Afro-Asian Cup of Nations]]
|-
| align="center"|2 || 5 June 1998 || [[Amsterdam Arena]], Amsterdam || {{fb|NED}} || align="center"|1–3 || align="center"|1–5 || [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
| align="center"|3 || 22 April 2000 || [[Lagos National Stadium]], [[Lagos]] || {{fb|ERI}} || align="center"|4–0 || align="center"|4–0 || [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF first round#Pool D|2002 World Cup qualifier]]
|-
| align="center"|4 || 27 January 2001 || [[Liberation Stadium]], [[Port Harcourt]] || {{fb|SUD}} || align="center"|3–0 || align="center"|3–0 || 2002 World Cup qualifier
|-
| align="center"|5 || 5 May 2001 || Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt || {{fb|LBR}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|2–0 || 2002 World Cup qualifier
|-
| align="center"|6 || 25 May 2003 || [[Independence Park (Jamaica)|Independence Park]], [[Kingston, Jamaica|Kingston]] || {{fb|JAM}} || align="center"|2–2 || align="center"|2–3 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|7
| rowspan="2"|7 June 2003 || rowspan="2"|[[Abuja Stadium]], [[Abuja]] || rowspan="2"|{{fb|MWI}} || align="center"|3–1 || rowspan="2" align="center"|4–1 || rowspan="2"|[[2004 African Cup of Nations qualification#Group 1|2004 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier]]
|-
| align="center"|8 || align="center"|4–1
|-
| align="center"|9 || 26 March 2005 || Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt || {{fb|GAB}} || align="center"|2–0 || align="center"|2–0 || [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group 4|2006 World Cup qualifier]]
|-
| align="center"|10 || 8 October 2005 || Abuja Stadium, Abuja || {{fb|ZIM}} || align="center"|4–1 || align="center"|5–1 || 2006 World Cup qualifier
|-
| align="center"|11 || 24 March 2007 || [[MKO Abiola Stadium]], [[Abeokuta]] || {{fb|UGA}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|1–0 || [[2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification#Group 3|2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier]]
|-
| align="center"|12 || 17 June 2007 || [[Stade Général Seyni Kountché]], [[Niamey]] || {{fb|NIG}} || align="center"|1–0 || align="center"|3–1 || 2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier
|}

==Honours==
'''Iwuanyanwu Nationale'''
*[[Nigerian Professional Football League|Nigerian Premier League]]: 1992–93<ref name = "honours">{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/nwankwo-kanu/2926/|title=Nwankwo Kanu – Career Honours |publisher=Soccerway}}</ref>

'''Ajax'''
*[[Eredivisie]]: [[1993–94 Eredivisie|1993–94]], [[1994–95 Eredivisie|1994–95]], [[1995–96 Eredivisie|1995–96]]<ref name = "honours"/>
*[[UEFA Champions League]]: [[1994–95 UEFA Champions League|1994–95]];<ref name = "honours"/> runner-up: [[1995–96 UEFA Champions League|1995–96]]<ref name="CL-finals">{{cite book |year=2017 |chapter=2. Finals |chapter-url=https://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/EuroExperience/competitions/Publications/02/28/56/89/2285689_DOWNLOAD.pdf |title=UEFA Champions League Statistics Handbook 2016/17 |location=Nyon, Switzerland |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |page=1 |access-date=22 April 2017 }}</ref>
*[[UEFA Super Cup]]: [[1995 UEFA Super Cup|1995]]<ref name = "honours"/>
*[[Intercontinental Cup (1960–2004)|Intercontinental Cup]]: [[1995 Intercontinental Cup|1995]]<ref name = "honours"/>

'''Inter Milan'''
*[[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]]: [[1997–98 UEFA Cup|1997–98]]<ref name = "honours"/>

'''Arsenal'''
*[[Premier League]]: [[2001–02 FA Premier League|2001–02]], [[2003–04 FA Premier League|2003–04]]<ref name="PremProfile"/>
*[[FA Cup]]: [[2001–02 FA Cup|2001–02]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/1959840.stm |title=Arsenal lift FA Cup |website=BBC Sport |date=4 May 2002 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021216122448/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/1959840.stm |archive-date=16 December 2002}}</ref> [[2002–03 FA Cup|2002–03]];<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/3025589.stm |title=Arsenal retain FA Cup |website=BBC Sport |date=17 May 2003 |access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref> runner-up: [[2000–01 FA Cup|2000–01]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/1324699.stm |title=Owen shatters Arsenal in Cup final |website=BBC Sport |date=12 May 2001 |access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref>
*[[FA Community Shield|FA Charity Shield]]: [[1999 FA Charity Shield|1999]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/409273.stm |title=Parlour gives Gunners Wembley win |website=BBC News |date=1 August 1999 |access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref>
*UEFA Cup runner-up: [[1999–2000 UEFA Cup|1999–2000]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/752751.stm |title=Penalty heartbreak for Arsenal |website=BBC News |date=17 May 2000 |access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref>

'''Portsmouth'''
*FA Cup: [[2007–08 FA Cup|2007–08]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/7393770.stm |title=Portsmouth 1–0 Cardiff |first=Phil |last=McNulty |website=BBC Sport |date=17 May 2008 |access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref>
*[[FA Cup]] runner-up: 2009–10<ref>{{cite web |last1=McNulty |first1=Phil |title=Chelsea 1-0 Portsmouth |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/8680493.stm |website=news.bbc.co.uk |publisher=BBC |access-date=15 May 2010 |date=15 May 2010}}</ref> 

'''Nigeria U17'''
*[[FIFA U-17 World Cup|FIFA U-17 World Championship]]: [[1993 FIFA U-17 World Championship|1993]]<ref name = "honours"/>

'''Nigeria U23'''
*[[Football at the Summer Olympics|Summer Olympics]]: [[Football at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|1996]]<ref name = "honours"/>

'''Nigeria'''
*[[Afro-Asian Cup of Nations]]: [[1995 Afro-Asian Cup of Nations|1995]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://buzznigeria.com/nigeria-super-eagles/ |title=Top 10 Super Eagles of Nigeria's Most Amazing Moments |work=buzznigeria.com |publisher=Chuka Udeze |date= 31 October 2023}}</ref>
*[[Africa Cup of Nations|African Cup of Nations]] runner-up: [[2000 African Cup of Nations|2000]]<ref name="The Shot">{{cite web|title=Africa Cup of Nations 2000|url=http://www.the-shot.com/africa/african-nations-cup-2000/matches/final/nigeria-cameroon.html|website=The Shot}}</ref>
*African Cup of Nations Bronze: 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trumpeta |first=Imo |date=29 October 2012 |title='Papilo' Kanu Nkwankwo (The concluding part) |url=https://www.imotrumpeta.com/?p=3005 |access-date=15 November 2023 |website=Imo Trumpeta newspaper |language=en-US}}</ref>

'''Individual'''
*[[List of AFC Ajax records and statistics#AFC Ajax prize winners|Ajax Talent of the Year (Marco van Basten Award)]]: [[1994–95 AFC Ajax season|1994–95]]<ref name=talentawards>{{cite web|url=https://english.ajax.nl/articles/timber-voted-talent-of-the-year/|title=Timber voted Talent of the Year|website=Ajax.nl}}</ref>
*[[African Footballer of the Year]]: 1996, 1999<ref>{{cite news | date=1 January 2000 | url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/afr-poy.html | title=African Player of the Year | publisher=[[rsssf.com]] | access-date=2 July 2013}}</ref>
*[[BBC African Footballer of the Year]]: 1997, 1999<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24450345|title=History of the BBC African Footballer of the Year award|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Piers|last=Edwards|date=12 November 2016|access-date=16 March 2017}}</ref>
*[[FA Cup Final]] Man of the Match: [[2008 FA Cup Final|2008]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2300733/FA-Cup-final-Kanu-punishes-Cardiff-to-win-Cup.html|title=FA Cup final: Kanu punishes Cardiff to win Cup|website=Telegraph|date=8 May 2008|access-date=9 February 2020}}</ref>
*[[IFFHS]] Legends<ref>{{cite web|url=https://iffhs.de/iffhs-has-announced-the-48-football-legend-players/|title=IFFHS announce the 48 football legend players|publisher=IFFHS|date=25 January 2016|access-date=14 September 2016}}</ref>
* IFFHS All-time Africa Men's Dream Team: 2021<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1121|publisher=IFFHS|date=29 May 2021| access-date=31 May 2021|title=IFFHS}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Citation|last=Rich|first=Jeremy|title=Kanu, Nwankwo|date=30 September 2015|work=African American Studies Center|publisher=Oxford University Press|doi=10.1093/acref/9780195301731.013.72855|isbn=978-0-19-530173-1}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{wikiquote}}
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120306151505/http://www.soccerhene.com/cms.php?id_cms=648 Podcast Interview]}} at Soccerhene.com
*{{Soccerbase}}
*{{NFT player}}
*[https://www.kanuheartfoundationng.com/ Kanu Heart Foundation], a charity founded by Kanu to help African children with heart problems.

{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = Gold
| bordercolor = #000000
| list1 = 
{{AFC Ajax Talent of the Year}}
{{African Footballer of the Year}}
{{BBC African Footballer of the Year}}
}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Nigeria squads
| bg = #008751
| fg = white
| bordercolor = #00703C
| list1 = 
{{Nigeria squad 1996 Olympics}}
{{Nigeria Squad 1998 World Cup}}
{{Nigeria Squad 2000 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Nigeria Squad 2002 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Nigeria Squad 2002 World Cup}}
{{Nigeria Squad 2004 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Nigeria Squad 2006 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Nigeria Squad 2008 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Nigeria Squad 2010 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Nigeria squad 2010 FIFA World Cup}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kanu, Nwankwo}}
[[Category:1976 births]]
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[[Category:Footballers at the 1996 Summer Olympics]]