Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has finally spoken about the viral Paris Fashion Week appearance that sparked dating rumours involving American rapper Cardi B.
Okoye and Cardi B became the subject of intense speculation last month after they were spotted together at the Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture show in Paris, where the Udinese goalkeeper was filmed helping the rapper to her seat.
The pair were later seen together during a dinner in Venice, further fuelling rumours about a possible relationship between the Nigerian international and the Grammy-winning musician.
However, while the former Watford goalkeeper has not directly confirmed or denied the dating speculation, his latest interview with The Guardian has provided his first detailed comments on the Paris appearance and his growing interest in fashion.
F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain – Kimi Antonelli of Italy and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team celebrates with Maduka Okoye after securing P1 during qualifying for the Formula 1 Pirelli British Grand Prix 2026 at Silverstone Circuit, Towcester
Maduka Okoye speaks on Cardi B-linked Paris appearance
Okoye reflected on his first experience at Paris Fashion Week, describing sitting alongside Cardi B at the Jean Paul Gaultier show as an eye-opening introduction to high fashion.
The 26-year-old admitted that the experience left a strong impression on him and changed his perception of the fashion industry.
“Being at the Paris fashion week was really impressive,” Okoye said.
“It was my first time really coming into contact with high fashion, and it was fascinating. It’s a true art form. I enjoyed it immensely, and since that moment I’ve become a much bigger fan of fashion than I was before.”
While Okoye did not directly address the speculation surrounding his relationship with Cardi B, his comments offer some insight into how he viewed the viral Paris appearance.
The images and videos from the event quickly spread across social media, with Okoye’s growing online following ensuring that the moment reached an audience well beyond football.
Okoye insists football remains his priority
Despite his increasing presence in fashion, Formula One and other areas of popular culture, Okoye insists that his off-field interests have not distracted him from his responsibilities as a professional footballer.
The former Fortuna Dusseldorf goalkeeper drew a clear line between his growing personal brand and his work on the pitch.
“What happens off the pitch is one thing, what happens on the pitch is another,” he said.
“You have to separate the two. I never let these two worlds collide.”
Okoye added that while marketing and personal branding have become an important part of modern football, his primary responsibility remains protecting Udinese’s goal.
“At the end of the day I am a goalkeeper, and my main job is to protect my team’s goal,” he said.
The Nigerian’s comments come after an eventful summer in which his visibility has grown significantly, both on and off the pitch.
Okoye enjoying life at Udinese
Away from the spotlight, Okoye also spoke positively about his life in Udine and the calm environment he has found in the Italian city.
The Germany-born goalkeeper admitted that although he grew up in Düsseldorf and remains a “city boy”, he has learned to appreciate the quieter lifestyle in the North-Eastern part of Italy.
“I really like Udine. It’s a human, quiet city. You have your peace there and you can focus 100% on your work,” he said.
That stability has helped Okoye establish himself as an important figure for Udinese after a difficult spell at Watford.
He recorded 10 clean sheets in Serie A last season and will be hoping to build on that form when the new campaign begins next Saturday against Padova in the Coppa Italia.
Unfinished business with Nigeria
Okoye also addressed his disappointment at missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Nigeria and admitted that watching the tournament from home was not the ideal experience.
“Obviously it would have been better to be part of it, but unfortunately we didn’t qualify,” he said.
The Super Eagles goalkeeper, who remains hopeful of representing Nigeria at the next World Cup, added:
“We’ll try again for the next World Cup. I still enjoyed watching it from the outside; I supported Germany, hoping they’d go a bit further. Now we look to the future, and I really hope to be there at the next edition.”
For now, Okoye’s focus appears firmly split between establishing himself at Udinese and embracing the lifestyle opportunities that have come with his growing profile.
And while his Paris appearance with Cardi B continues to generate speculation, the goalkeeper’s comments suggest that the episode is part of a broader journey into fashion and life beyond football.
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