Maro Itoje has surged up the ranks in the rugby world to captain England (Image: Getty)
Maro Itoje never dreamed of being a rugby star, but a chance encounter changed everything. Now, he’s England’s captain, a fierce competitor, and a powerful voice for change.
Saracens’ towering lock Itoje’s journey wasn’t born from a childhood dream scribbled in a notebook or shaped by endless hours watching rugby legends. The 30-year-old toiled through the vibrant chaos of a Nigerian-British household in North London to now become England’s abrasive leader in the 2025 Six Nations Championship.
“Rugby wasn’t really a thing for us. Coming from a Nigerian household, if it’s any sport at all, it’s football. If it’s not football, then it’s books,” Itoje once revealed in his podcast Pearl Conversations.
A three-time nominee for World Rugby Player of the Year, Itoje has been a cornerstone for England and Saracens. Itoje’s dominance on the field is unquestionable. But beyond the scrums and line-outs, his life is filled with fascinating contrasts; family ties to rugby, a happenstance love story, and an endless pursuit for legacy.
Itoje’s path to rugby stardom began with a nudge from fate. His secondary school headmaster, Floyd Steadman, who was also Saracens’ first black captain, recognised his raw athleticism and saw potential in him.
“He mentioned to me that I should think about playing rugby,” Itoje recalled in an autobiographical essay. That simple suggestion set the wheels in motion.
His natural athleticism, honed through years of boundless childhood energy, found its perfect outlet on the rugby field. At 16, eager for new challenges, he moved to Harrow School, a decision that would fast-track his rugby journey.
Leading the charge for England’s rugby glory
Itoje’s ascent to England’s rugby elite began at the age-grade level. He was a standout for both the U18s and U20s before making his senior England debut in 2016 against Italy.
In 2014, Itoje co-captained the U20s to IRB Junior World Championship glory. He then went on to lead Saracens to a LV= Cup title a year later.
Itoje has earned 88 caps for England, scoring seven tries. He starred in the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups, helping England secure second and third-place finishes.
A key player in England’s success, he has contributed to three Six Nations Championships, including a Grand Slam in 2016. Now, as the official captain for the 2025 Six Nations Championship, Itoje is set to lead England towards further glory, building on the triumphs of his early career.
Itoje is now one of the most iconic players in world rugby (Image: Getty)
But Itoje’s impact transcends rugby. He has taken up the cause of championing educational reforms in England, trying to advocate the teaching of black history.
“By the time I was 18, I didn’t really know too much about African history, black history, or about the contribution Africa had on the world,” he reflected in an autobiographical essay.
This realisation definitely fueled his passion for educational reform. Through initiatives like The Black Curriculum, he has become a vocal advocate for a more inclusive understanding of history in British schools.
“These learnings help you to understand someone else’s story a little bit better,” he said.
Itoje’s net worth is estimated at £4.03 million. A significant portion of his earnings come from his contract with Saracens.
In addition to his rugby incomes, Itoje also has endorsement deals with brands like Ricoh and Under Armour. These partnerships contribute to his financial growth, alongside his rugby earnings.
Unsurprisingly, Itoje is amongst the richest rugby players in the world.
Itoje’s life off the field is just as fascinating as his on-field exploits. His modelling career has seen him grace magazine covers alongside Lady Amelia Windsor, a cousin of .
And then there’s his love story. In 2024, he got engaged to model Mimi Fall during a picturesque getaway in Ghana.
“It was a beautiful resort, and I popped the question there,” he shared with the Daily Mail while talking about his engagement. For his followers, it was a rare glimpse into the private world of a man who usually keeps his off-the-field life under wraps.