Getting picked from a pool of over 3,000 players at the age of 12 was the start of something legendary. John Mikel Obi grew stronger and never looked back from there. He played in the Nigerian league, gathered all that strength and grit that comes with playing in Nigeria. The midfielder played for Plateau United.
John Nchekwube Obinna Michael walked up the stairs to success carrying a backpack of determination and the wits of a conqueror. He played in the Norwegian league with Lyn Oslo. There, he took the world by storm like he controlled the weather.
English giants Manchester United and Chelsea literally went head to head to sign the talented midfielder.
The tussle was real but Mikel ended up at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea and the rest they say, is history.
He went on to play 372 games for the Chelsea, scoring 6 goals and assisting 13 in all competitions. He won almost every trophy available in Europe with the Blues.
Mikel Obi has been underrated a lot in his long and successful career. He’s not as rugged as Sunday Oliseh in midfield neither is he as skillful as Jay Jay Okocha but never look down on him. He is a smooth operator in midfield, he brings so much calm and control in midfield. A brain box and his presence alone gives all other players on the pitch confidence. Mikel played for the Golden Eaglets (Nigeria U 17) and Flying Eagles (Nigeria U 20).
He earned 89 caps for the Super Eagles and scoring 6 goals. In the 2016 Olympics, Mikel sacrificed his Chelsea career by defiling the then gaffer Antonio Conte just to help the Olympics Eagles win bronze.
John Obi Mikel is a legend, he should be celebrated even more for all he has done for the country. He’s won Nigeria the AFCON, finished runners up in the Under 20 World Cup where he won the silver ball losing out to Lionel Messi.
Forever a legend, Mikel will always be an African great and for this, he is our Man Crush this week
