Recent stirring performances against Barcelona and Everton have put Arsenal starlet Alex Iwobi firmly in the spotlight, to the point where England's FA has attempted to snag him from under the noses of Nigeria.
The youngster committed his international future to the country of his birth almost a year ago, but the seeds were sown long before that.
Not many would-be footballers get the opportunity to kick about with legends like Austin Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu from the age of four. Then again, not that many come from a family, in which almost every male member played professional football. Iwobi, therefore, appears to have been specially blessed with plenty of ability in his genes. During the 1970s, his father Chuka played for Vasco da Gama and Femo Scorpions, two of the most famous clubs in Nigeria.
During that time he became friends with a teammate called Emmanuel Okocha and went on to meet and become great friends with the rest of the brood, including their elder brother James, who also played for Femo Scorpions; sister Patience, who would eventually become Chuka's wife; and a certain younger brother called Jay-Jay.
Chuka, like any other top level footballer, harboured dreams of playing international football.
"It was my personal wish to play for Nigeria," he told ESPN FC. "I didn't because I was pursuing my law career. But some of my teammates like Mutiu Adepoju went on to do so with distinction. I have always had a sense of loss because I didn't represent Nigeria. I would say it is an unfulfilled dream of mine. Perhaps I wasn't good enough. So I always dreamed that Alex would play for Nigeria."
Chuka explained the heavyweight nudges that helped swing Alex's decision to pick Nigeria, even after representing England at youth level.
"It was his decision in the end, but the choice to play for Nigeria was influenced by Jay-Jay, [Nwankwo] Kanu, Emmanuel and me," he said. "The point is that I'm Nigerian and very proud of my roots."
"Some of [Alex's] clips when he was about three or four are amazing," said Emmanuel. "He is just crazy about football. We were all just looking at him when he would play around with me and Jay and we just knew he had to play for Nigeria."
Samson Siasia called him up to join up with the Olympic squad, even though he was ineligible to play.
"We wanted to look at him and see what he could offer and he came like everyone else and tried out with us, and I was impressed with him," the coach said. "We saw that he had no airs about him and he loved the game."
Chuka says his family were thrilled.
"When he was called to camp, there was no hesitation. I told him to at least go and test it. There is a lot of prejudice about Nigeria from players abroad. All you hear is negativity. I always told him we should come and see for ourselves. When we came, all our doubts were wiped out. The organisation, commitment, talent in the squad. He got a lot of love from the press and his teammates. And the atmosphere was different. The team prays before every game. In the bus there is a lot of singing and players teasing each other. Alex decided to make up his mind. He told me 'daddy, I belong here.'"
Chalk one up to the Nigerian spirit.
Former Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh handed Iwobi his international debut last October and says the 19-year-old is special.
"He has this quick change of pace and he is very good at seeing combinations," said Oliseh. "If he continues to play the way he is doing, he will develop very well. And I hope for Nigeria's sake that he does."
More than his football talent, which he appears to possess in abundance, Iwobi's humility is a quality that stands out. It's one that will serve him well as he continues to grow.