Simi Awujo’s journey from Atlanta, Georgia, to international football stardom is a tale of talent, ambition, and decisive choices. The Manchester United midfielder, who joined the club in August 2024 from the University of Southern California’s USC Trojans, chose to represent Canada at the senior international level—turning down opportunities with the United States and Nigeria.

Born and raised in Atlanta, Awujo was eligible to represent three nations: the United States (her birthplace), Nigeria (her heritage), and Canada. She initially represented the U.S. at youth levels but made a pivotal switch at 18, committing to Canada. Her first senior cap came in September 2022 during a friendly against Australia.

Awujo’s rise with Canada was swift. She helped the team secure bronze at the 2022 Concacaf U20 Championship, earning them a spot in the FIFA U20 World Cup. At the World Cup, Awujo played every minute, cementing her place as a key figure for the Canadian squad.

Speculation swirled about whether she rejected overtures from the Nigerian Football Federation to join the Super Falcons. However, her agent set the record straight, stating that Nigeria had not approached Awujo during her formative years with Canada. By the time Nigeria showed any interest, she was already cap-tied to Canada.

“Simi was never approached by Nigeria when she was starting out with Canada. Any such interest would’ve come well after she was committed to Canada,” her agent explained. When asked if Awujo ever considered representing Nigeria, he added, “It’s hard to say, but she might have given it some thought if the opportunity had arisen earlier.”

Awujo’s talent did not go unnoticed. She was named Canada Soccer’s Young Player of the Year in 2022. She was part of Canada’s squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, though she did not feature in their opening match against Nigeria. In 2024, she represented Canada at the Summer Olympics in Paris, where the team narrowly exited in the quarterfinals after a penalty shootout loss to Germany.

Simi Awujo’s story is one of determination and focus, as she continues to shine both for her club and the Canadian national team. Her decision reflects her belief in the path she has chosen, and she remains a player to watch on the global stage.