It is no news that Nigeria is blessed with numerous natural resources both mineral and human. As a country, Nigeria has always been represented in almost all facets of life. From business to fashion, music to movies, politics to science, leadership to sports, Nigerians home and abroad have always made the country proud. Among these ground shakers is a Nigerian legend who have had a very successful career in football. Born on the 22nd of April 1987 in Jos, John Michael Obi is among the few Nigerians who can boast of playing football at the highest level. With over 15 years as a top footballer, and having recently retired from International football at age 32, John Mikel Obi has had a success story which many can only dream of.
Growing up, due to the financial constraints of his parents, he played football out on the street barefooted with an ambition to be like Nwankwo Kanu and Jay Jay Okocha. He was disqualified from playing in tournaments because he had no football boot which his parents couldn’t afford as they had just enough to cater for the education of his 6 siblings and himself. An individual in his town whom he fondly called Mabao saw his talents and decided to buy him football boots and jerseys so he could play in tournaments. He then joined the Pepsi football academy and was further exposed to more tournaments. Then he was signed to Plateau united, who were the biggest team in Jos, after shining at the under-13 state tournament.
He caught the attention of the Nigerian national team when they played a friendly against Plateau united. As a rule in Nigeria football, a teenager couldn’t play for a professional team and get called up to the national team. His performance as a fourteen year old boy during the friendly match resulted in the abolishment of that rule and he was called up to the national Under-20s. The turning point for John Mikel Obi was at the 2005 FIFA youth championship which Nigeria came second having lost to Argentina. Mikel got silver ball as the second best player with Lionel Messi winning the award for the best player.
In 2006, after months of contractual battle between Manchester united and Chelsea, he opted to sign for the latter. According to Vince Lombardi, “Football is life – it requires perseverance, self- denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority. During the Russia world cup, in a column on the Players’ Tribune, when asked why he opted for Chelsea, he wrote “You know what made my mind up? Chelsea had signed three other players from Nigeria along with me. They were staying with me at the house in London to keep me company. These guys… their lives depended on the decision I was making. If I went to united, they were gone. If I went to Chelsea, they were going to have a career. No matter how long it lasted, that was important to me. Just to give them a chance, you know? I chose Chelsea, and four lives changed that day.”
Mikel Obi has always shown patriotism and love for his country but above all, he has always been seen as a leader who puts others first before himself, a trait he learnt from his Chelsea captain, John Terry. In 2016, he led Nigeria’s U23 team to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro which cost him his Chelsea career. In an interview on the super eagles YouTube channel, he said “when an opportunity came out to either go to Rio or play for Chelsea, I told Victor Moses because it was both of us, I was older, he is younger, he hasn’t played yet for the club, I said ‘you stay back, I will go, if I lose my place it’s fine’. Victor did, he stayed, I went, I came back, and the manager never spoke to me again, didn’t put me in the team, then I said ‘okay fine’ and I left… It’s the commitment and love that I have for my country, he said.”
During the Russia 2018 world cup, while preparing for the group match against Argentina, Mikel was informed about the kidnapping of his dad hours before the match, Mikel went on to play the match without informing anyone. According to him, “I was emotionally distraught and I had to make a decision about whether I was mentally ready to play… I knew that I could not let 180 million Nigerians down. I had to shut it out of my head and go represent my country first. I could not inform the coaches or NFF staff… I also did not want to discuss it with the coach (Gernot Rohr) because I did not want my issue to become a distraction to him or the rest of the team on such an important game day…”
According to Johann Cruff, football is a game you play with your mind. Mikel’s career has been one of great mental strength and strong desire to succeed at all cost. Robert Di Matteo once said “I don’t think John Mikel Obi gets the credit for the work he does for the team”. Top managers like Mourinho, Ancelloti and many more have also shown great admiration for Mikel’s work ethics and concentration on football. In 2019, after leading Nigeria as Captain to a third place finish at the CAF confederation cup, having won the cup in 2013, Mikel decided it’s the right time to retire from the Nigeria national team. He effortlessly controls the pace of games, this and many more will be missed in the National team. John Mikel Obi’s will not be forgotten as he is a true legend. He is a hero to many Nigerians and our July PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH.
©fatherlandgazette
www.fatherlandgazette.wordpress.com