Ghanaian football star Mohammed Kudus turns 25 today, and the country is celebrating more than just a birthday, it’s honouring the rise of a new icon.
Born in the heart of Nima, Accra, Kudus has grown into one of Africa’s most exciting footballing talents, dazzling fans across the Eredivisie, the Premier League, and the international stage with the Black Stars.
Currently plying his trade at Tottenham Hotspur, Kudus has already made a significant mark in English football with West Harm United. In under two seasons, he has notched over 19 goals and 10 assists across all competitions, including West Ham’s 2023/24 Goal of the Season, a breathtaking 70-yard solo run in the Europa League.
His 13 goals for the Hammers also earned him the distinction of becoming the club’s highest-scoring Ghanaian player, surpassing André Ayew. Kudus joins an elite list of Ghanaian players who have scored 10+ goals in a Premier League season.
Before arriving in London, Kudus shone brightly in the Netherlands with Ajax Amsterdam, where he lifted two Eredivisie titles and a KNVB Cup. His standout moment came in the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League group stage, where he scored four goals, the most by any Ghanaian in a single campaign.
Internationally, the Black Stars midfielder has earned 42 caps, scoring 12 goals, and was a beacon of hope at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), netting twice against Egypt and earning multiple Man of the Match awards.
In recognition of his stellar performances, Kudus has twice been named the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Foreign-based Footballer of the Year (2021, 2022) and has been consistently featured in Eredivisie and Premier League Team of the Week/Month selections. UEFA also honoured him for his eye-catching Champions League displays.
Most recently, he was the subject of an £85 million transfer bid, one of the highest ever for an African player and has drawn interest from European heavyweights like Chelsea and Saudi giants Al Nassr.
As the footballing world takes note of his rise, Ghanaians at home are simply proud.