FIFA cult hero shocked after being recognised by fans in Newcastle

A football video game favourite has expressed his surprise after he was recognised outside St James' Park.

Former Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike only played 16 matches in England but enjoys global renown for his outrageous abilities as a spritely sprite popular among players of FIFA Ultimate Team in the days of FIFA 13.

Now 39, Emenike retired in 2019 after a brief spell with Westerlo in Belgium. He scored nine goals in 37 senior international appearances for the Super Eagles and spent much of his playing career in Turkey and Russia.

After getting his breakthrough in South Africa, Emenike joined Karabukspor in 2009.

He was signed to Fenerbahce in 2011 but moved immediately to Spartak Moscow as a consequence of Fener's alleged involvement in a match-fixing scandal and expulsion from the Champions League.

Emenike re-joined the Istanbul giants after two seasons in Russia, winning the Super Lig at the first time of asking.

On Wednesday, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations champion and Golden Boot winner posted a video on Instagram in which he was recognised outside the home of Newcastle United.

One passerby was especially quick off the mark, gathering his friends for a photograph with the former striker. But he wasn't spotted because of his loan spell with West Ham United.

"Spartak Moscow, isn't it!" pointed out the eagle-eyed Geordie.

"I wasn’t expecting to be known in Newcastle, as you can see, I looked lost," Emenike posted accurately while sharing the video.

Emmanuel Emenike the FIFA legend

Emenike scored 92 club goals in real life but the chances are he was clocked in the street because of his virtual exploits as a hotshot striker in EA Sports' FIFA 13 video game.

He enjoys iconic status around the football world because his FIFA 13 avatar was, ironically, unplayable.

While his overall ratings was a relatively modest 81, he was essentially the perfect FIFA striker in that version of the game.

With acceleration rated at 93 and strength at 94, the Spartak striker was a must-have for anyone serious about FUT.

Back in the real world, he had loan spells at Upton Park and with Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates, seeing out his career with Olympiacos and Westerlo.