Celestine Babayaro

Quick Facts

Full Name	Celestine Babayaro
Occupation	Association Football Player
Date Of Birth	Aug 29, 1978(1978-08-29)
Age	46
Birthplace	Kaduna
Country	Nigeria
Birth City	Kaduna
Horoscope	Capricorn

Celestine Babayaro Biography

Celestine Babayaro is one of the most popular and richest Association Football Player who was born on August 29, 1978 in Kaduna, Kaduna, Nigeria. Celestine Hycieth Babayaro (born 29 August 1978) is a Nigerian former footballer who played as a defender or as a midfielder.

Babayaro’s brother, Emmanuel, a goalkeeper, was also part of Nigeria’s 1996 Olympics gold medal winning team.

Babayaro was signed by Chelsea after being spotted by scout Lewis Durkin in April 1997. He moved for a transfer fee of £2.25 million, a club record paid for a teenager at the time. He made his debut in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup against Slovan Bratislava, but an injury sustained in the 6–1 win over rivals Tottenham Hotspur in December 1997 ruled him out for the rest of the season. This meant he missed their victories in the 1998 Football League Cup Final and the 1998 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup Final. However, with Chelsea he went on to win the 1998 UEFA Super Cup, the FA Cup and Charity Shield in 2000, and reached the 2002 FA Cup Final. He was also instrumental in Chelsea’s memorable run in the 1999-2000 UEFA Champions League. It was to end in heartbreak for Babayaro as he was sent off in extra time against Barcelona, as they bowed out of the competition at the quarter final stage. He faced competition from Graeme Le Saux during his seven-year spell, but managed to play over 200 games for the London side. His acrobatic celebrations with backflips were noted and loved by the fans of the club.

Babayaro spent the majority of his career playing in the Premier League, mainly for Chelsea from 1997 to 2005, and then later for Newcastle United, from 2005 to 2008. He had a brief stint at MLS club LA Galaxy, but never officially played for the club, and was a free agent, before retiring in 2010.

Babayaro represented the Nigerian national football team from 1995 to 2004, and was part of two Olympic squads, two World Cup squads and three African Cup of Nations squads.

Celestine Babayaro Net Worth

Celestine Babayaro is one of the richest Association Football Player from Nigeria. According to our analysis, Wikipedia, Forbes & Business Insider, Celestine Babayaro 's net worth $5 Million. (Last Update: December 11, 2023)

After being part of the victorious Nigerian team at the Under-17 World Championships in 1993, Babayaro made his international senior debut in the Afro-Asian Cup of Nations in 1995, against Uzbekistan. The following year, he was part of the Nigeria Olympic gold medal winning team at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, making the tournament’s all-star team. He scored in the Gold Medal game itself against Argentina. After getting a knee injury in December 1997 in the Premier League, Babayaro recovered just in time to make the France 98 squad. He was also Nigeria’s captain at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, and took part in the Korea/Japan 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Born in Kaduna, Babayaro began his playing career at Nigerian side Plateau United, before moving to Belgian club Anderlecht in 1994, and eventually would make a name for himself, quickly gaining first-choice status although still a teenager. Babayaro set records as the youngest player to make an appearance and to receive a red card in the UEFA Champions League. He was sent off in a match against Steaua Bucuresti in a 1–1 draw, aged 16 years and 86 days.

With this move, the Nigerian re-joined Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit who previously brought him to Chelsea in 1997 and spent a season coaching him there. This time again, it was the recently hired Gullit who wanted Babayaro at his new club. However, it did not take long for the move to turn sour. Thinking that he had arrived at sort of an American superclub that only a year earlier gave David Beckham what was widely reported to be the $250 million contract, Babayaro was agitated by what he considered to be “shabby” accommodations – from having to fly in the economy class to sharing a hotel room on the road. His lack of commitment in training and preseason games reflected those feelings and he soon got on Gullit’s and club president and general manager Alexi Lalas’s bad side.

Height, Weight & Body Measurements

Celestine Babayaro height 5 ft 9 in Celestine weight Not Known & body measurements will update soon.

Who is Celestine Babayaro Dating?

According to our records, Celestine Babayaro is possibily single & has not been previously engaged. As of December 1, 2023, Celestine Babayaro’s is not dating anyone.

Relationships Record : We have no records of past relationships for Celestine Babayaro. You may help us to build the dating records for Celestine Babayaro!

In January 2005, he left Chelsea to join Newcastle United on an undisclosed fee, where he established himself as first choice left back. He scored his first and what turned out to be his only Newcastle goal in a 3–1 win over Coventry City in the FA Cup.

Facts & Trivia

Celestine Ranked on the list of most popular Association Football Player. Also ranked in the elit list of famous people born in Nigeria. Celestine Babayaro celebrates birthday on August 29 of every year.

Due to his many injury problems it was mutually decided, on 10 December 2007, that Babayaro should be released from his contract with immediate effect and a compensation figure was agreed.

Top Facts about Celestine Babayaro

1. Celestine Babayaro is a retired Nigerian footballer.
2. He was born on August 29, 1978 in Kaduna, Nigeria.
3. Babayaro played as a left-back for Chelsea and Newcastle United.
4. He won the UEFA Cup with Chelsea in 1998.
5. Babayaro made his international debut for Nigeria at age 16.
6. He played in three World Cups for Nigeria (1998, 2002, and 2010).
7. Babayaro won an Olympic gold medal with Nigeria in 1996.
8. He retired from professional football in 2010 due to injury.
9. Babayaro currently works as a pundit and commentator for SuperSport TV.
10. His younger brother Ayoze also played professional football.

What is Celestine Babayaro doing now?

Upon retiring from playing he moved back to his native Nigeria where he has a number of business interests and endorsements including working as a brand ambassador for Nigerian National League side Kaduna United. He is currently working as a football agent.

Who is the first African player to play for Chelsea?

BBC Radio 1Xtra – Ace, Paul Canoville – The first black player for Chelsea FC tells his story for Black History Month 2019.

How old is Celestine Babayaro?

44 years (August 29, 1978)

What is the name of Taribo West Church?

He eventually became a pastor after his footballing days. In 2014, West founded a church called “ Shelter in the Storm Miracle Ministries of All Nation ” in Lagos.

Where is Sunday Oliseh?

SV 19 Straelen