A trophy laden 18 years football career stands Mikel Obi out of the crowd of midfield greats Nigeria football has ever produced as the 35 year old announces his retirement from football on Wednesday, 27th September 2022 via his Instagram page.
The former Nigerian international capture a glorious 18 year career in the words :
“There is a saying that ‘all good things must come to an end’, and for my professional football career, that day is today,” said Mikel on Instagram.
“I look back at the past 20 years of my career, and I must say that I am very satisfied with all that I was able to achieve and more importantly the human it has helped shape.”
“All of this would not have been possible without the unwavering support of my family, managers, clubs, coaches, team-mates and most importantly my ever-loyal fans,” he added.
“You supported me through my highs and lows, even on days that I did not live up to your expectations.
“I say a big thank you” .
Tributes and accolades have been pouring in for the Chelsea’s former number 12 jersey player due to the highly successful career he had for both country and club.
www.footballnigeria.ng captured unique moments that defined his glorious career, which ranked tall, among the array of midfield stars Nigeria has produced in the past
He bumped into limelight with the U17 Golden Eaglets of Nigeria in 2003 at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Finland where he has to ensure a misspelt name as Micheal was spelt.
He caught the attention of the football world with his eye catching defence cutting passes through the middle.
The team led by Austin Eguaveon never loss any match but they failed to get out of the group stage having drew all their two matches and failed to progress to the next round due to the lottery of the toss of a coin
Mikel and the rest of the teammates cried on that faithful and they have to return to Nigeria empty handed despite all the promises and potential In the team.
He represented Nigeria at the 2005 FIFA U20 World Cup in Netherlands. The bulk of the U17 boys returned two years to the world stage and they dazzle the world showing what the world missed two years earlier in the Netherlands with Mikel shone like a million star at the competition.
Nigeria lost the final to the trickery of Lionel Messi as the flying Eagles settled for Silver medal. The only second Silver medal won by Nigeria at the level up to this moment.
Mikel won the second most valuable player of the tournament behind Lionel Messi, the first Nigeria midfielder to rise to such a level in world Football with Taye Taiwo finishing on the podium as well.
The ex Lyn Oslo player broke into the Super Eagles on the backdrop of the Superb performance he gave at the 2005 FIFA Junior World Cup as he was part of coach Berti Vogts team to the African Cup of Nations in 2006.
It took the opportunity with both hands and scored his first goal for Nigeria at the Nations Cup in his first game of the competition.
He later became a force to reckon with In the Super Eagles midfield.
Caught between playing for Chelsea or Manchester United
Mikel was faced with one of the biggest dilemma of his career when he need to choose between playing for two biggest English club at age 18.
He eventually snubbed Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United for new breed in Jose Mourinho, a decision which he never regretted as he went in to win every trophy at sight for the blues, surviving numerous coaches as he always find a way to win their heart and consistently keep his shirt no matter who is in charge.
The 35 year old waited for 185 games before he could scored his first goal for Chelsea. The wait was understood as he was no more the forward going number 10 anymore.
Coach Jose Mourinho converted him to more calm deep playing midfielder in the team’s half shielding the central defenders in his first season at Chelsea. A transformation he has to live with through his career
He became the second Nigerian, (first midfielder) to win the EPL after winning the title with Chelsea in 2004 thus making history with the team winning their first ever EPL trophy since inception in 1992. He later went on to win more trophies for blues which EPL, four League cups thus becoming one of most decorated Nigerians in the history of English football.
He also played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s first ever Champion League triumph in 2012 when he became the only third Nigerian ( first midfielder) to ever win the most prestigious trophy in club’s football.
Mikel also won the UEFA Europa cup, and went to win a massive 89 caps for the Super Eagles.
The 35 year old smalternted between between playing in the more advance role for country and defensive midfield for club a testament to his high level of professionalism during his playing days
He was on successful on both fronts as he captained the Super Eagles to a third AFCON victory in South Africa in 2013 defeating competition favorite, Coted’voire in the quarter final.
He also captained the dream team to Bronze medal at the 2016 in Rio as well the Super Eagles to two FIFA World Cups in 2014 and 2018 in Brazil and Russia respectively.
John Mikel Obi has etched his name among greatest midfielders Nigeria football has witnessed grmm over the last 4 decades, and he can gracefully takes a sit among the legends of our football anytime midfied maestros like Muda Lawal, Sunday Oliseh, Austin Okocha, Mutiu Adepoju, Etim Esin etc are being mentioned as Obi carefully casted his name in gold and glory with a glittering trophy laden football career.
