‘He was a pioneer’ – Madueke on inspiration from Ronaldo’s spell at Man Utd
Video credit: TNT Sports
Fast cars. Even faster money. The commonplace perception of professional footballers in the fast lane to stardom is that their rise to the top cannot come without the ego leaving the garage.
When exceptional humans gather at the edge of performance, self-worth and skill cannot be softened at the expense of the other. Nor should it ever be expected that sporting excellence is linear, without its occasional bumps in the road.
Obsession, selfishness, intolerance to weakness. Such raw, natural human emotions are seen every week in the Premier League in 2026 as they were long ago. Whether it is Eric Cantona’s kung-fu kick, Virgil van Dijk’s wise message to the next generation, or Cristian Romero’s candid remarks on Tottenham’s recruitment strategy.Or, indeed, Noni Madueke’s refusal to give up penalty responsibilities to Cole Palmer when Chelsea were already leading 4-0 against Everton back in April 2024. The incident became almost synonymous of the player’s time at Stamford Bridge but it does not define him.Now at Arsenal, the 23-year-old is enjoying a new lease of life under a manager who is allowing his true personality to shine through.
‘Complete opposite’ – Madueke on misconception about his personality
Video credit: TNT Sports
“I used to think that people didn’t understand my actual character,” Madueke told TNT Sports presenter Kenny Allstar.
“I feel like sometimes, people think I’m arrogant, I’m cocky or I don’t work hard. Or that I don’t really care that much, but I’m probably the complete opposite.
“I’m always trying to improve and people should know that I’m just really locked into this.”
Never judge a book by its cover, Allstar adds. Madueke is already rewriting the script as he is driven around Arsenal’s London Colney training base.
There is a humility in his words that betray any belief of a young man blinded by the lights having switched from west to north London in a £50 million deal last summer.
His schooling in the game is too solid for his feet to ever leave the ground. He joined Crystal Palace at the age of nine before moving on to captain Tottenham’s under-16s. At 15, he was turning out for their under-18s. Manchester United were keen in 2018 but Madueke rejected their advances, opting to continue his development at PSV Eindhoven.
It wasn’t an easy decision, given how big an influence United legends had on, as Madueke himself puts it, “locking” him into the game.
When asked about his childhood idols which made him fall in love with football, Madueke reveals: “The main one has to be [Cristiano] Ronaldo. Man United Ronaldo was just different. The way he played with no fear, no handbrake.
“He just went to just kill whoever was in front of him. Later on in his career, he started banging in goals for fun as well. He was the first superstar I saw in the game. I just felt like I wanted to be like him.
“He was a pioneer of so many new moves, he was the first one of our generation who really started to play like he did. The tricks and the skills and the flicks… and the goals on top. It’s easy to possess all the skill without the goals, but he had everything, and it came so naturally to him.”
‘This is mad!’ – Madueke shows off his skills on the mic with Kenny Allstar
Video credit: TNT Sports
Madueke chose a change of scenery and a route so few British footballers take in order to provide a wider appreciation of their talent.
The Eredivisie offered further United influence, with Ruud van Nistelrooy providing that neat overlap as PSV head coach during his four-and-a-half year spell at the club.
“It was my first real steps in the pro game,” Madueke added. “I learned a lot about myself as a person. The football world can be tough and ruthless at times, so I learned how to navigate it. It really helped me to become who I am today.
“Ruud was my coach and he taught me a lot about myself and the type of person I want to be in the game and the type of player I want to be. He was one of the best strikers of his generation, so he was always giving me tips on how to be more effective.
“Also, he taught me the type of person I want to be. A humble person, someone that my team-mates admire. He taught me a lot.”
For Madueke, there were no hard feelings when his time at Chelsea came to an end only a third of the way through a seven-and-a-half-year contract.
With a UEFA Conference League and FIFA World Club Cup medal around his neck, the club’s recruitment strategy opted to take advantage of the profit at stake in selling him to Arsenal, with Jamie Gittens, Estevao as well as strikers Liam Delap and Joao Pedro lined up to come through the door.
It was not a reflection on the player’s own contribution, with 11 goals and five assists to his name in all competitions last season, but Madueke is already very settled in his new surroundings – and is targeting another trophy-laden end to the current campaign.
‘Super’ Madueke finish gives Arsenal early lead from ‘terrific’ Eze pass
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“It would be a dream if we won the Premier League,” he added. “And the Champions League, and the cups… that would be a dream, and we’re going to do everything in our power and leave the rest to God.
“I knew a lot of the guys here already, so settling in was easy. It’s a great team, it’s a great bunch of people. I’m having fun, I’m enjoying my football. It’s a special feeling playing at the Emirates. I’m very grateful.”
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