Inside Terem Moffi’s Journey: The Rise of A Left-footed Drogba

Terem Moffi’s story is one of resilience and determination. As a young boy, he faced numerous setbacks, including rejections and being left out of an international tournament. Despite these challenges, his father, Leo—a lawyer and former goalkeeper—remained steadfast in his belief in Terem’s talent. Instead of using his connections to advance his son’s career, Leo chose to let Terem succeed through his own efforts. This narrative highlights not just the struggles but also the unwavering support that helped shape Moffi’s journey in football.

We present the story of a young boy whose passion for football was ignited by watching videos of Robin van Persie, using them to refine his skills as a forward. This same boy, on his first trip abroad, found mentorship from Alex Iwobi, the son of his father’s best friend. Our article also shares the journey of a young talent who not only competes alongside Kylian Mbappé but enjoys a luxurious lifestyle thanks to his football success.

Our article on Terem Moffi goes beyond the usual football highlights you might find on YouTube. It offers an in-depth look at his life, starting from his childhood and early years. You’ll learn about his parents, Margaret Moffi and Leonard Moffi, his family background, and his Nigerian state of origin. We also cover details about his siblings, girlfriend, and more.

In addition to covering Terem Moffi’s football career, this biography delves into his ethnicity, religion, education, and zodiac sign. We also explore his lifestyle, net worth, personality, and salary breakdown. Now, let’s dive into the heart of Terem Moffi’s story.

Preamble:

This article on Terem Moffi’s Biography begins by telling you notable events of his boyhood years and early life. Next, we’ll take you through his journey to fame with Buckswood Football Academy, including his early career disappointment. Finally, we’ll unveil Terem’s early European journey and how he achieved a meteoric rise in club football.

We hope to whet your soccer autobiography appetite as we engage you with reading Terem Moffi’s Biography. To begin doing that, let’s show you this photo galley that tells his story – from that little kid growing up in Calabar to the moment he achieved fame in his senior career. Indeed, Moffi has come a long way in his amazing football journey.

There were days when he was compared to Romelu Lukaku. Tarem is a strong, powerful and very pacy Forward who has an eye for scoring goals. Football fans say he is a modern Forward, and that is absolutely correct.

In our long history of telling you the Football Stories of Nigerian Forwards, we found a missing link. The truth is, not many people have read Terem Moffi’s Biography, which is super exciting. This is why we have created this detailed article. Now, without further ado, let’s get started.

Terem Moffi Childhood Story:

For starters in his Biography reading, he bears the full name – Teremas Igobor Moffi. And his nicknames are “TM and The left-footed Drogba.” The Nigerian professional footballer was born on the 25th day of May 1999 to his Mother, Margaret Moffi, and Father, Leo Moffi, in Calabar, Nigeria.

Terem Moffi is not the only child of his parents. He is one among four siblings (himself, three brothers) born to the marital union between his Dad, Leo, and Mum, Margaret. Now, let’s introduce you to Terem Moffi’s Parents. Leo and Margaret are more than just a Dad and Mum to their son. They’ve been Tarem’s staunchest supporters and the foundation upon which his football success was built.

Growing-Up Years:

Terem Moffi spent the earliest of his childhood years in Calabar, Nigeria, alongside his three brothers. He grew up as the third son and child born to his Mother, Magaret and Father, Leo. For Terem, early childhood moments spent in Nigeria were literally the best years of his life.

At that time, he wasn’t just surrounded by his supportive Dad, Mum, and brothers, but also by his friends at both home and school who loved him. At that time, as seen in the photo below, navigating through life wasn’t that difficult. Everything for Terem looked simple, thanks to his Dad being there for him and his brothers.

Terem Moffi Early Years:

As a young boy, Terem was carefree about almost everything except his passion for football. His days revolved around joining his friends for soccer games and indulging in playful antics. Fortunately, Terem grew up in a community in Cross River State of Nigeria that cherished football. A place where young boys routinely came together each evening to enjoy the beautiful game.

Football was a passion shared by many in the Moffi family, not just the young Terem. His elder brothers also showed remarkable talent in the sport. Two of Leo’s sons initially took up the role of strikers. Interestingly, one of Terem’s brothers was once considered a more promising striker than him. However, he chose to prioritize his education, leading him to a successful career as a medical doctor today.

From a young age, Terem had a clear vision: he aspired to be a professional footballer. When he wasn’t playing football on the streets of Calabar, he was deeply engrossed in watching his idols. Notably, he admired the former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie.

Moffi, a left-footed player, often studied van Persie’s goal-scoring techniques. While on YouTube, he would delve into video compilations of legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, the Brazilian Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi, among others. Yet, he would invariably return to rewatch Robin van Persie’s videos.

Terem Moffi Family Background:

The Nigerian professional footballer is the son of Leo, a Nigerian professional footballer who once played as a goalkeeper. Terem Moffi’s Dad didn’t play the game at the highest level, like going to Europe, as he was only confined to Nigeria. Nevertheless, Leo Moffi played a great role in laying the foundations of his son’s football career. In Terem’s words;

My father always told me that I could be a footballer and become better than him if only I could be myself.

Leo Moffi himself once revealed that Terem’s decision to become a professional footballer wasn’t forced on him, and it has nothing to do with his career. He always saw his son since the age of three as a boy with exceptional skills, and hence, isn’t surprised by what Terem has become today.

About Leonard, Terem Moffi’s Father?

During his active career days, they nicknamed him “The Big Leonard”. Terem Moffi’s Dad wasn’t just an ordinary goalkeeper but a confident and assured pair of safe hands between the posts. Leonard Moffi played for clubs mostly in Nigeria, like Enugu Rangers, El Kanemi Warriors, Calabar Rovers and Black Cats of Ogoja. Research also has it that Moffi’s Dad played for Vasco da Gama, a sports club based in Enugu, Nigeria.

While at Enugu Rangers, research has it that The Big Leonard played alongside Super Eagles Defender Taribo West. Again, it would surprise you to know that Terem Moffi’s dad played alongside his best friend, Chuka ‘Mehalla’ Iwobi. This person is Alex Iwobi’s Father.

At some time during his career, Leonard Moffi proceeded to study Law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. It wasn’t only him but also his best friend (Iwobi’s Dad), Chuka ‘Mehalla’ Iwobi. Both friends successfully pursued their careers in law, and Leo, after becoming a graduate, got a job in Nigeria.

What does Leonard do for a living?

About the occupation of Terem Moffi’s Dad, it is known that Mr Leonard worked as a permanent secretary at Nigeria’s Ministry of Budget Planning. The pursuit of a successful career in law did not make him take his goalkeeping career overseas after 12 years of playing in the Nigerian league. However, Leonard Moffi did go to trials in Belgium in 1988.

Aside from career reasons, the former Rangers International of Enugu goalkeeper agreed to stay in Nigeria so he could start a family. In the 1990s, Leonard Moffi married Magaret, and they both became proud parents of four successful male children. The third child of Leo and Magaret’s children is Tarem Moffi. An Athlete who has made his name in the beautiful game of football.

Terem Moffi Family Origin:

Starting off, his parents (Margaret and Leonard) are both citizens of Nigeria. This is why  Terem Moffi’s nationality is Nigeria. In fact, the former Lorient striker is from the South-Southern geopolitical zone of the West African nation, Nigeria.

Regarding Terem Moffi’s state of origin (in Nigeria), our research points to Cross River State. The Naija Athlete hails from a home that is rich in Culture and Tradition and includes colourful ceremonies, dances, and music.

Ethnicity:

While it is known that the Nigerian professional footballer is from Cross River state in Nigeria, recent research has been geared towards the language he speaks. So far, what is known is that Terem Moffi’s language is among the following: Efik, Ekoi (Ejagham), Bekwarra, Boki (Nki), Bahumono, Agwagwune and Kiong (Okiong).

Terem Moffi Education:

The Nigerian professional footballer is a graduate of Buckswood School, England. Formerly known as Buckswood Grange School, this is a private school for kids that was founded in 1933. Terem schooled there at the time he relocated from Nigeria to London to pursue his football dreams. Before travelling to London, Terem had already begun his secondary school in Nigeria.

Back then, when Buckswood School was on holiday, he often spent time with Alex Iwobi, who took him under his wings. It is pertinent to state that Terem Moffi’s parents adore education and allow their children to follow their dreams in sports. Leo, his Dad, once revealed that his older son left football to study medicine in Russia. The former Goalkeeper also revealed that this son of his was a better footballer than Terem but decided to abandon the sport for his studies.

School Facts:

While Terem dedicated himself to football, he was also notably bright in his academics. In fact, had he not pursued a football career, he might have already completed both an undergraduate and a Master’s degree at a university. Truly, Terem excelled in both football and academics, mirroring the talents of his older brother. About how he was at school, the footballer once said,

When i was in school, I wasn’t the smartest, not because I was dull, but because I didn’t make an effort to be the best.

If I had just put in 2% of what I put in my football training for school, I would have been a genius.

To this day, Terem cherishes the accolades from the Principal of Buckswood School in East Sussex, England. The testimonial praises him as an outstanding student, highlighting the tremendous support he received from his family.

Not only did he attend every lesson, but he also earned the admiration and respect of both his peers and their parents at the school. This cherished testimonial holds a special place in Terem’s bedroom.

Career Buildup:

Even after his high school education, Terem Moffi’s Parents wanted him to advance a little again in his studies. Leonard, his Dad, who is really, really serious about school, pushed his son to get a diploma.

Terem Moffi took his first steps into becoming a professional by enrolling at the Nigeria Youth Soccer Academy, Calabar. It was Leo who took his son to enrol at the academy. Terem could play as both a Striker and in other positions, but his Dad registered him as a midfielder.

Terem Moffi Biography – Football Story:

Truth be told, playing at midfield was never Terem’s calling. Everyone noticed he liked the ball at his feet, but he was never interested in making a tackle. Moffi was also found to lack aggression in midfield, including doing some dirty work for his team. This development raised questions as to whether he was destined to be a midfielder.

Coach Agboola, who managed the Youth Soccer Academy, Calabar, was super amazed at what little Moffi did with the ball in front of a goalkeeper. He noticed that little Terem had a great eye for scoring goals like Chelsea’s Frank Lampard. Because of that, he converted him to a Striker.

Even to this day, coach Coach Agboola still live in regret of not having a recording of Terem’s best games. It was a competition in Calabar when the youngster scored all three goals, in a famous 3-1 over a rival team. In the Coaches’ words;

“I stood in awe watching this kid destroy our opponents in the game.”

Terem Moffi was more than just a goal-scorer and a formidable force against adversaries on the field. He played a siggnificant role in leading his team to trophy victories, elevating his worth to the club and drawing the attention of eagle-eyed football scouts. Here’s a cherished snapshot from Moffi’s nascent career days, showcasing him and his teammates basking in the joy of a trophy win, medals proudly on display.

The determination:

While at the Nigeria Youth Soccer Academy, Terem was constantly looked after by Coach Abdulgafaar Agboola. His early football beginnings were positively influenced by this great coach, whom the Moffi family is ever grateful to and cannot forget.

Early on, Coach Agboola noticed that the boy had a fighting spirit and was the most talented member of his team. He made Terem take extra time for more rigorous training, including treating him like he was his own son.

Road to Fame Story:

The years between ages 10 and 17 were pivotal for the Nigerian international. This phase was marked by significant ups and downs in his career, details of which we will delve into. Let’s start with his experience at the scouting camp of the Aspire Football Academy.

When little Terem was 11, he was invited by a scout into their camp in Nigeria, which was propelled by Aspire Academy. It is important to state that Aspire Academy isn’t a Nigerian football initiative but a sports academy founded in 2004 and based in the Aspire Zone in Qatar.

At the camp, it was evident to all that Terem was among the youngest, if not the youngest, in a group primarily consisting of 15 and 16-year-olds. Undeterred by age differences, he showed no hesitation to compete against the older boys. However, his enthusiasm was met with discouragement. One of the coaches approached him and remarked,

Terem, you are a very good player, but am sorry you are too young to be in this programme. We are looking for players of 15 or 16 years.

Hearing those words of rejection, young Terem began to cry. He had viewed the Aspire Academy programme as his golden ticket out of Nigeria and the beginning of his international football journey.

Terem Moffi’s Parents were there to console their son, including his brothers. In the end, they told him that at least the coaches recognized his talent as being better than most of the older boys.

Even at that, the youngster was very disappointed simply because he was told to leave the programme because of his young age. To this day, Terem’s eviction from the Apsire Academy programme remains a sad memory that still lives in him.

Moving on to other opportunities:

The next opportunity that came his way was the 2012 National Youth Games, where he was invited to participate. Because Terem Moffi’s family lived in Calabar, he was invited to play for the host, Cross River State. As pictured below, the youngster was accompanied by his Dad, Leonard, to the tournament. Terem is pictured in the middle, while his Father, Leo, is pictured right during one of the matches of the 2012 National Youth Games.

The 2012 National Youth Games started on solid footings for Terem’s team. One of his highlights was beating Niger State (2-0) in the group stages of the competition. Sadly, his Cross River state Football team lost to the same Niger state (whom they had earlier beaten) via penalties at the knockout stage of the competition.

Two years after the 2012 National Youth Games, another football opportunity came to Terem. After scoring a hat trick in a match, he got lucky to be among the boys picked in an MTN Scholars’ football programme. Terem decided he would not be part of the MTN Scholars’ final section trials to be held in Lagos, Nigeria. This is because the programme offered college football scholarships in the USA, which wasn’t a career path he wanted to take. All Terem wanted was to get a football opportunity in Europe, which at that time included the United Kingdom.

How going to London started:

Following refusing to accept the US college soccer opportunity for the MTN scholarships, Terem remained in Lagos for a while, playing for an unnamed academy. Later on, he decided to travel back to Calabar to take his high school exams. While he was away, a football agent visited Lagos for a scouting programme. With a sole purpose in mind, he paid a visit to the team Terem Moffi played for. Noticing the boy was absent, the scout asked,

Where is Moffi the attacker?

Quickly, he was told that the boy was not present because of his secondary school exams in Calabar. The truth is, this scout had never seen Tarem play, never! However, he got the phone number of Terem’s Dad and knew that Leo’s son wanted to play football in Europe. The football scout called Moffi’s Father and said,

‘Listen Barrister Leonard, I have an opportunity for your son in London’.

This time, everything clicked, and no one could stop young Terem, whose dream was to travel and play his football abroad. Leonard told the scout his son was ready, and quickly, they did all the paperwork, prepared Terem’s visa, and he travelled to London.

Early Difficulties with Living in London:

Like many young footballers venturing from Africa to Europe, Terem faced a challenging transition. Beyond the emotional strain of leaving his family in Nigeria, he had to adapt to a new culture and climate. Grappling with the distinct British accent proved to be quite a task, as did navigating the nuances of continuing his education in London. He once confessed;

“I had to attend school in London, and during the first few weeks, I struggled to understand what people were saying. Their accent was quite challenging for me to grasp.”

Though grappling with a new culture posed its challenges, Moffi viewed it as a valuable experience. Parting from his family in Nigeria and navigating life in London as a young teen sculpted him into the resilient individual he is today. Without the immediate presence and support of his parents and older brothers, Terem learned to be self-reliant, strengthening his character in the process.

Early Experiences with the Nigerian Youth Team:

While representing Buckswood Football Academy in Hastings, East Sussex, Terem received a call-up for the Nigerian U17 national youth team. This recognition from his home country served as a significant morale boost, reaffirming Moffi’s belief in his potential to excel in the football realm.

When the youngster was called to the Nigerian national U17 team, the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup was just around the corner. There were allegations of players lowering their ages just to get into the tournament. As a long-term chairman of the Cross River Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria, Terem Moffi’s Father, Leo, fought against that.

Barrister Leonard fought against age-cheating using his son Moffi as an example. The truth is, it had never crossed his mind to cut the age of his son, Leo once explained. Even while he played professionally as a goalkeeper, he never thought of reducing his age. Terem was 16 years old, which is the age bracket for the Nigerian national U17 team who were preparing for the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

As preparations for the international tournament were underway, Terem travelled to Nigeria to join the national team’s training camps. During one of his stints there, a 16-year-old Terem was joined by Alex Iwobi, who was three years older and had recently been inducted into the Nigerian senior national team.

The Big Disappointment:

Unfortunately, poor Terem Moffi never made it among the list of names that were selected to participate in the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The coach of the Nigerian team, Emmanuel Amuneke, decided to choose only Victor Osimhen as his centre Forward for the tournament. To make matters worse, Terem was dropped by the coach on the eve of the team’s departure to the competition, which was played in Chile.

While players such as Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Denis were absent from the tournament, Samuel Chukwueze secured a spot in the final roster. From an international perspective, prominent participants in the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup included Tyler Adams (United States), Éder Militão (Brazil), and Trent Alexander-Arnold (England), as well as Pervis Estupiñán (Ecuador), and Dayot Upamecano (France).

Terem initially secured a spot in the provisional lineup of 35 young Nigerian players chosen for the tournament. Yet, despite the momentum in his career and prevailing signs pointing to his inclusion, he faced the disappointment of not being part of the final selection. However, his family, particularly his father, Leo, expressed immense pride in him and offered words of solace and encouragement.

To the astonishment of the football world, Nigeria clinched the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup. This triumph paved the way for Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen to secure spots in the Nigerian senior national team. While young Terem harboured some disappointment for not being on the final roster, he was already focusing on the next steps in his career and felt immense pride in his country’s U-17 FIFA World Cup victory.

Early Years as a Professional:

Two seasons after missing the U-17 FIFA World Cup, young Terem, to the joy of his family, graduated from Buckswood Football Academy. He fancied the idea of leaving England to play in the league of a European country. This is for the sole reason of getting a quick first-team inclusion and plenty of game time.

Terem moved to Lithuania to join Kauno Žalgiris. After eight matches and scoring one goal, he eventually moved to Kauno Žalgiris. While there, Moffi experienced a delay in his debut because of visa issues. While in Lithuania, Terem noticed that they didn’t speak English. So, he had to force himself to learn their language, and he spoke in a way that made himself understood by his teammates.

While playing for Riteriai, the youngster scored 20 or 21 goals in a single season. Having made this achievement, Terem felt it was time to move on to a bigger challenge. While Belgium teams were mostly interested in him, the youngster had a different plan. Terem wanted to play for mostly Danish, Scandinavian or Swedish clubs. In his words,

“I wanted to take things one step at a time. Moving to Belgium was a significant step for me. When I discussed my options with my agent, who had numerous offers, I decided, ‘Let’s go to Kortrijk.'”

Terem Moffi Biography – Rising to Fame:

Ultimately, the young player chose to embrace a more challenging competition by signing with Kortrijk, a professional football club located in Kortrijk, West Flanders. Upon Terem’s arrival, he was immediately thrust into a pre-season match, for which he was mentally unprepared. Having spent a month without training, he wasn’t at peak fitness. Terem’s performance in that match was lacklustre. Post-game, he could discern murmurs of criticism from the club’s supporters, with comments like;

“Is this guy really going to be a good striker for us?

Unfazed by the criticism, Moffi remained confident in his abilities. He recognized that he needed a couple of weeks to mentally gear up and reach his full potential. And indeed, Terem Moffi’s star shone brightly with the club. After netting five goals in less than a month, he transitioned to the Ligue 1 team, Lorient, on a permanent contract on the 1st of October 2020.

At Lorient, Terem became close friends with Yoanne Wissa, who was one of the only few guys who spoke English. The DR Congo Forward welcomed him in English, and Thomas Fontaine, another of his teammates, helped Moffi a lot. The Defender would drop Terem at home, provide him with some career advice and show him the way around the city.

The Lorient Rise:

When Yoane Wissa agreed to join Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo at Brentford, Terem got the opportunity to be the club’s main striker. To this day, he remains entirely grateful to Lorient for risking a lot of money for him, a Guy who played only nine games in Belgium.

Lorient’s President, Loïc Fery, placed the same trust in Moffi as he did in Trevoh Chalobah, whom his club had previously acquired on loan. With the backing of his teammates, Terem felt empowered and confident, leading him to win individual honours and score remarkable goals for the club.

In recognition of his dedication and prowess on the field, Terem was acknowledged by Nigerian head coach Gernot Rohr on the 14th of May 2021. Moffi was called up to the Super Eagles and included in Rohr’s 31-man roster for the June friendlies.

Moving on to another level of success:

Terem once admitted that penning this message was particularly difficult for him, realizing he was parting ways with his cherished FC Lorient. The message reads;

I feel proud and fulfilled to have been part of this Club. I will like to thank the supporters, each staff, each manager and each teammate I met during my time at @fclorient

It’s a beautiful story that we wrote together with ups and downs, victories and defeats but with love and respect.

For the fans, you will always have a place in my heart. Thank you for always supporting me. Thank you for the love and cheers. Your emotions will remain forever engraved in my head.🧡🖤🧡🖤🧡

“I want to express my gratitude to the club for helping me grow as a footballer and for making me and my family feel at home. The memories we’ve created here will stay with me forever.”

Thank you with all my heart ❤️ #allezlorient

On 31 January 2023, the rapidly ascending French League club, OGC Nice, secured Moffi on loan. The Nigerian Forward soon found himself amidst a stellar roster boasting immense talent, including notable names like Jean-Clair Todibo, Legendary Kasper Schmeichel, Ross Barkley, Aaron Ramsey, Khéphren Thuram, and Nicolas Pépé.

Meteoric Rise:

During the 2022/2023 season, Moffi netted a significant number of league goals, positioning him as the joint second top scorer in Ligue 1. Only the 2018 FIFA World Cup champion, Kylian Mbappe, outpaced him in scoring. The momentum carried into the 2023/2024 season, where Terem found the net against top teams like PSG (PulseSport). Witness some of his striking goals for Nice that contributed to his meteoric ascent in European football.

As of the time this biography on Terem Moffi was crafted, he harboured grand ambitions, notably his aspiration to represent Nigeria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The forward, seemingly on the path to the Premier League, could potentially be a surprising acquisition for David Moyes’ West Ham squad. Perhaps Moffi might be viewed as an alternative for players like Gianluca Scamacca or Michail Antonio. As we aptly puts it, the rest is history.

Terem Moffi Love Life:

With his rise in Football, as evident in the way he lights up the French League with his goals, it is obvious that the Nigerian Forward is a successful man. Terrem is big, 6 ft 2 in) tall and handsome. There is no doubt that Ladies, especially his Nigerian female fans, wouldn’t aspire to be his Girlfriend, Wife or baby mama. After noticing all these, we dare to ask;

Who is Terem Moffi’s Girlfriend?… Does he have a Wife in Nigeria? … or is he dating anyone, a white girl?

Our inquiry into Terem Moffi’s Love Life. Does he have a Girlfriend or Wife?

After taking time to research, we found that the Nigerian Forward has chosen not to make public this aspect of his private life. Even while you go through his social media profile, you will notice that Terem has not made known anything that relates to our inquiries concerning his dating history, having a Nigerian wife or a girlfriend.

Why is this so?… Our first guess is that Terem Moffi’s Parents, the persons he values their words the most, had advised him to keep that aspect of his life very private. Or, possibly, they must have advised him to only focus on his career and not have to expose his girlfriend or wife until he feels comfortable about it. Well, it’s only a matter of time before we find out.

Personality Facts:

Who is Terem Moffi?

This section of his Biography tells you off-the-pitch facts about the Footballer. First things first, when Terem wakes up every day, he forms the habit of picking up his phone and reading his favourite quote. This quote is a phrase from a legendary football manager, Alex Ferguson, and it says

“Say goodbye to discipline, and you say goodbye to success.”

This implies that Terem Moffi is a highly disciplined footballer. The above message from the  Legendary Ferguson is saved as wallpaper on Moffi’s phone. Every single time, the idea of never saying goodbye to discipline rings in his head. Now, let’s move to the next part of Moffi’s personality.

If it wasn’t for football, it is true that he would have tried other sports, and this sport is Athletics. It would interest you to know that Terem is a good sprinter. He believes with the right training, he would have succeeded in the sport. When Terem left his family in Nigeria for London, he had a physical trainer who told him he had the skill set to become a good sprinter.

Back in the years, he watched the videos of Legends like Messi, Van Persie, Ronaldo de Lima, CR7, etc. As of 2023, Terem only watches the videos of Erling Haaland, Romelu Lukaku and Victor Osimhen. And Yes, he also watches himself as it helps him remember the things he is capable of.

When Terem is finished watching the videos of other players, he always ends it by watching videos of himself on YouTube. By doing that, everything he is capable of in the pitch stays in his head. After seeing the goals he scored in the Lithuanian or the Belgium championships, he tells himself that he is capable of repeating those goals and doing something better.

Terem Moffi Lifestyle:

Getting to know how the Nigerian Forward lives will help you get a clear picture of him. When asked in an interview about his best pair of shoes, Terem responded that he is very Nike and only wears Nike. Also, he has all the Nike brands, including the Air Jordan 4 and 1.

In a nutshell, Terem considers himself a normal Athlete who wants to enjoy life. He dislikes anything that gives him stress outside football, and he is not a fan of sleeping all day. Moffi does not pay so much attention to anything except if it relates to his family, friends and work.

Speaking of Terem’s hobbies, our findings reveal he is a huge fan of staying at home and playing video games. Although his favourite game is FIFA, the footballer isn’t keen on checking his FIFA grade score. Many football fans found it shocking when Terem told an interviewer that he has never used himself on FIFA and has never played with his former team, Lorient. In Moffi’s words,

I’m honest. The first time I got a Playstation and noticed I was in FIFA, I went to see my rating, but after that, I admit that I didn’t …

When asked about what team he uses on FIFA, Terem revealed that when he plays with his friends, he often uses Manchester City. A team that boasts talents like KDB, David Silva, Riyad Mahrez (LW), Manuel Akanji (CB), Erling Haaland (CF), Julian Alvarez (CF), Rodri (DM), Kyle Walker (RB), etc.

If he doesn’t use Manchester City, he prefers to select Liverpool. Terem uses Liverpool on FIFA because the team boasts of talented African stars he respects so much, like Sadio Mane (LW), Joel Matip and Mohammed Salah. When he plays FIFA, he avoids competition against his former teammate, Adrian Grbic, who he labels as ‘too strong to beat’.

Holiday Life:

Apart from his main job as a professional footballer, he often likes playing video games and staying at home. The other of Terem Moffi’s hobbies is travelling. He sees himself as a man who deserves to enjoy life, especially on the sea. Here is a snapshot of one of Terem’s holiday outings, sometime around July 2022.

Does Terem Moffi own a Car?

On April 25th, 2023, the left-footed striker shared a photo on Instagram showcasing his new acquisition. With this post, Moffi established himself among the African footballers with a penchant for G WAGONS, joining the ranks of notable names like Wilfried Zaha and Andre Ayew, who is Jordan Ayew‘s sibling.

Terem Moffi Family Life:

The members of his household, including his siblings, pray for each other, help each other and never stop loving each other. Terem Moffi’s Parents made him and his brothers the well-bred young man they are today. Now, let’s tell you about them, starting with the head of the family, Barrister Leonard.

Terem Moffi Father:

Leo, as he is nicknamed, is well known as a former Enugu Rangers Goalkeeper as well as a Lawyer. He is a man with discipline, someone who will never pay a bribe or create a case in the name of getting his son football opportunities. In the words of Leonard Moffi,

I would never come to the press to put pressure on any coach to select my son. As a former player myself, it’s not right to do that, neither will I sing his praise. My Son’s performances will speak for himself.

Truth be told, it is impossible to talk about Leonard Moffi without mentioning his best friend, Chuka Iwobi. Do you know?… Both the father of Terem and Alex have been best friends for more than 40 years. The two have come a long way, having been teammates at Rangers International of Enugu and the University of Nigeria, Nuskka. Let’s not forget that Chuka’s son, Alex Iwobi, took Terem (Leo’s son) under his wings during his schooling days at Buckswood School.

Terem Moffi Mother:

Margaret is an exemplary woman who has a natural tendency to be loved by everyone around her. Sometimes, whenever her son, Terem, gets a bad day, it is not because he doubted his talent on the pitch. It is because he misses Margaret Moffi, the woman who brought him into the world. Years ago in his early career years, Moffi confessed that he, sometimes, could just get sad or feel like crying for no particular reason. It is simply because he misses his Mum and other family members. Even in these moments, the Naija footballer never doubts himself and his abilities on the pitch.

Terem Moffi’s Mother once made Nigeria newspapers’ headlines following her reaction to her son’s first national team call-up. Her son received his Super Eagles call-up after he scored a hat-trick against Bordeaux. After the match, Terem looked at his phone and saw lots of messages in it. Immediately, he thought the message was related to his hat trick, not knowing it was for something else. When Terem checked his WhatsApp, he saw a message from coach Gernot Rohr, who wrote to him;

“Congratulations on your hat-trick, we would like to invite you to the Nigerian national football team”

Out of joy, Terem did not remember to reply to the message, and he quickly forwarded its screenshot to his family’s WhatsApp group. Upon seeing it, Margaret, his mother, became out of control. This is something she has dreamt of from the moment her son, Terem, began his professional football journey. The proud mother is always glad for her whole family, especially her husband, Leonard, who is living their dreams thanks to their breadwinner son.

Terem Moffi Siblings:

As shown pictorially earlier in this Bio, the Nigerian professional footballer has two older brothers and a younger brother. One of Terem Moffi’s Brothers is a medical doctor. As revealed by their Dad, Leo, this brother of his (in the medical line) was even a better striker than the current breadwinner of the family. He only chose to abandon football to pursue a bigger passion, which is medicine.

Moffi once revealed via an interview that his Dad and brothers are more on the watch for information about his career progress via the internet. They are particularly on the lookout for updates on Terem’s TransferMkt data. Here are the words from the footballer,

It’s mostly my dad and brother who keep an eye on Transfermarkt and share updates in our family WhatsApp group. Personally, I don’t really pay attention to my market value. I prefer to focus on playing football and watching Netflix in peace. I’m not one for stressing over it (laughs).

Untold Facts:

In the final section of Terem Moffi’s Biography, we’ll unveil truths you might not know about him. Without further ado, let’s begin.

Advice from Terem for aspiring Nigerian footballers who want to follow in his footsteps:

The Nigerian Striker advises them that talent itself is never enough. In addition to talent, there must be discipline, good behaviour, and a nice way to relate with people and coaches. Again, one must try to stay true to work harder than anyone. And it is not all about hard work, but smart work too. Finally, aspiring professional footballers must be natural, trust in their talent and, most importantly, keep God close to them.

A close friend of Anthony Joshua:

Despite being born and having grown up in the UK, the British professional boxer holds strong ties to his Nigerian roots, as well as Nigerian friends. Terem Moffie is one of the many Nigerian friends of Anthony Joshua. The two once had a fruitful meeting sometime around June of 2021.

Terem Moffi’s FIFA:

Do you know why they compare him to strong, dark footballers like Romelu Lukaku (CF), Christian Benteke or Didier Drogba? It is because Terem has excellent power attributes, both in real life as well as in FIFA. His best football asset is his strength, sprint speed, and finishing. Aside from defending and goalkeeping, Terem (as of 2022) lacks three things in football (below the 50 average), and they are his vision, interception, and long passing.

Terem Moffi’s Salary:

The contract he signed with Nice saw the Nigerian Forward earning a whopping sum of €901,400. Terem Moffi’s salary in naira is approximately ₦‎447,556,421 (going by CBN or parallel market exchange rate as of early 2023). The Athlete’s salary (17,308 euros per week) was gotten from Capology, a trusted source for verified earnings of footballers.

The image above indicates that Terem’s earnings slightly surpass those of Khephren Thuram, who is the son of the iconic Lilian Thuram and brother of Marcus Thuram. Notably, players such as Nicolas Pepe, Aaron Ramsey, Kasper Schmeichel, and Ross Barkley have higher salaries than him.

How rich is Terem Moffi?

In the country where his parents raised him (Nigeria), the graduate earns a comfortable salary of 200,000 naira per month. Do you know?… such a person would need more than a lifetime (186 years) to earn ₦‎447,556,421. This is Terem’s salary at OGC Nice when converted to the Nigerian naira.

EndNote:

Super Eagles Striker Terem bears the full name: Teremas “Terem” Igobor Moffi. Regarding his state of origin, research has it that Terem Moffi is from Cross River in South-South Nigeria. Terem Moffi was born a Gemini to his parents, Leonard and Margaret Moffi. The ex-Lorient forward grew up as the middle child alongside his three brothers, one of whom is a medical doctor.

Terem Moffi comes from a family that has a rich history with football. His father, Leo Moffi, once guarded the goalposts for Calabar Rovers, El Kanemi, and Enugu Rangers. He shared the pitch with the legendary Taribo West. Also, he maintained a longstanding friendship with Barrister Chuka, Alex Iwobi’s father. Both Leo and his dear friend, with a bond spanning over 40 years, pursued their education at the University of Nigeria Nuskka and later embraced careers in law.

Terem started his career as a midfielder and then later moved up to the Striker position. This came after he was known to lack aggression in midfield. The boy’s decision to become a professional has nothing to do with his Dad’s goalkeeping career. As a child, young Terem found himself naturally blessed with football talent, and all he wanted was to be a professional.

Moving abroad with better opportunities:

After excelling in Aspire Football Academy and others, the youngster got the opportunity to travel to the UK as a teenager. It was Alex Iwobi who took care of Terem (Leo’s son) when he arrived in London as a child. While in the City, Moffi attended Buckswood School, and he played for their Football Academy at Hastings.

After missing out on a spot in the FIFA U-17 World Cup squad, Terem felt disheartened but was nonetheless pleased when Nigeria clinched the trophy. Transitioning to a professional, he decided to leave England for Lithuania, signing with Kauno Žalgiris. A subsequent visa complication postponed his first appearance, leading him to Riteriai, where his career trajectory sharply ascended. He later transitioned to Belgian club Kortrijk, followed by stints in France with Lorient and Nice, where his star shone even brighter.

Appreciation Note:

Thank you for taking the time to read our version of Terem Moffi’s Biography. We care about accuracy and fairness in our quest to deliver Football Stories of Super Eagles Footballers. Terem’s Bio is part of the wider collection of our African Football Diary.

Please let us know (via comment) if you find something that doesn’t look right in this memoir about Moffi. Also, let us know what you think about the Forward, a Baller who is lethal on the counter-attack.

Beyond our biography of Terem Moffi, there are intriguing football tales from Nigeria that might pique your interest. The life stories of Victor Boniface and Gift Orban are sure to satisfy your craving for compelling autobiographies. Let’s not forget Stanley Nwabali and William Troost-Ekong, the 2024 AFCON sensations.