Sadiq up for two La Liga awards: Valencia striker battles Mbappe for POTM, Ratiu for GOTM

Super Eagles striker Umar Sadiq has earned nominations for both LaLiga's Goal of the Month and Player of the Month awards for March, marking an exciting milestone in his career.

The Nigerian forward’s exceptional performances for Valencia have been the talk of the town, with his breathtaking backheel goal against Osasuna standing out as one of the most memorable moments of the month.

Sadiq’s nomination for Goal of the Month stems from his incredible equalizer in Valencia’s 3-3 draw with Osasuna on March 2, 2025.

With the match nearing its conclusion and Valencia trailing, Sadiq displayed his remarkable skill and composure by executing a perfectly timed backheel that left Osasuna’s goalkeeper, Sergio Herrera, rooted to the spot.

His technical brilliance and awareness in that crucial moment earned him recognition, and he now competes for the prestigious award alongside other worthy nominees, including Andrei Ratiu and Diego Garcia, who also netted impressive goals in March.

In addition to his Goal of the Month nomination, Sadiq has also been shortlisted for the Player of the Month award.

His contributions on the pitch have been pivotal for Valencia, with the Nigerian striker delivering several goals throughout March.

Since joining Valencia on loan from Real Sociedad in January 2025, Sadiq has netted four goals in eight league appearances, showcasing his immediate impact at the club.

His ability to make a difference in tight matches, combined with his overall play and link-up abilities, has caught the eye of many in LaLiga.

Sadiq now faces competition for the Player of the Month title from some of the league’s biggest stars, including Kylian Mbappe, Isco Alarcon, Marcos Alonso, and Pedro Díaz.

The winner of both awards will be determined through a combination of fan votes and an expert panel.

For Sadiq, this nomination is a reflection of his growing influence in LaLiga and his rising stature as one of the top Nigerian footballers playing in Europe.

If he wins either of these awards, it would be a huge testament to his skill, work ethic, and the impact he is having at Valencia.

While his LaLiga recognition continues to grow, Sadiq is currently focused on his international duties with the Super Eagles.

He is in Kigali, Rwanda, preparing for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Rwanda, set to take place on Friday.

As Sadiq continues to shine at the club level, his form will undoubtedly be vital to Nigeria’s ambitions in the World Cup qualifiers.

Wale Adejumo

Photo Credit: valenciacf.com

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