Meet Marvin Akinlabi Park: Nigerian star who plays for Real Madrid

Marvin Olawale Akinlabi Park is a Spanish-Nigerian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Real Madrid.

Marvin Park made his Real Madrid debut on Sunday as the defending champions were held to a 0-0 draw against Real Sociedad.

Full name: Marvin Olawale Akinlabi Park
Date of birth: 3 July 2000 (age 20)
Current team: Real Madrid

Born in July 2000, Marvin started his career at Sporting Ciutat de Palma in Spain before moving to England and joining Tranmere Rovers at the age of nine.

He spent three years in their youth academy but decided to return to his homeland with former club Sporting Ciutat de Palma in 2012.

After impressive spells at La Salle and Jonquet Penya Arrabal, Real Madrid snapped up the youngster in 2016.

Marvin then rose through the youth ranks at the Bernabeu and scored three goals in 26 league appearances for Real Madrid Castilla in 2019-20.

He also helped their Under-20s lift the UEFA Youth League title last season, registering three assists and a goal in seven appearances for Raul’s side.

The relatively unknown 20-year-old attacker, who goes by Marvin, was introduced in the 70th minute for Rodrygo as Los Blancos searched in vain for a winner.

While Marvin couldn’t score a fairytale goal on debut, his first La Liga appearance comes on the back of an impressive pre-season that saw the Spain Under-19 international catch Zidane’s eye.

Marvin has represented Spain at Under-19 level and is also eligible to play for Nigeria or South Korea on the international stage.