5 key moments that defined John Obi Mikel’s Nigeria career

The identify that has gone on to turn into one of many best within the Tremendous Eagles’ trendy historical past was a mistake – maybe probably the greatest errors ever made by the soccer federation

John Obinna Michael had dazzled the world alongside his colleagues on the Finland 2003 U-17 World Cup.

He was the most effective participant within the Nigerian shirt, then starring Obi and carrying the #8 jersey. What the world didn’t know on the time was that little boy would go on to be the centre of a switch tussle between two of England’s greatest golf equipment.

Earlier than that interval, the world would see Mikel once more, this time within the Netherlands the place a rightly sentimental native fan base thought he deserved to be the event’s Most Useful Participant. The participant who pipped Mikel to that prize is right now, arguably the best man to have ever performed soccer. It’s partly, a proof of simply how particular Mikel was.

A switch tussle between Chelsea and Manchester United made Mikel probably the most well-liked children on the earth and he didn’t play membership soccer for a couple of yr. A troublesome interval throughout his profession however one which was important to strengthening his resolve to dwell as much as hype. If he achieved the world, particularly Nigerians’ hype of his nice potential is one other debate totally.

Mikel has introduced his retirement from soccer on the age of 35, having performed for Nigeria at each stage from the U-17 to the Tremendous Eagles. He represented Nigeria in each main event there’s in soccer and is among the few Nigerians to have ever received an African Cup of Nations title.

On this article by Soccernet, we glance again on the 5 key moments that outlined John Obi Mikel’s Nigeria profession.

5. Nigeria vs Iran – 2014 World Cup

Mikel was named the Budweiser man-of-the-match in a Brazil 2014 World Cup sport towards Iran. Whereas the sport ended goalless, Mikel was a mammoth presence within the midfield for the Tremendous Eagles.

4. Nigeria vs Zimbabwe – Egypt 2006 AFCON

Mikel was in the midst of a switch tussle between Manchester United and Chelsea when he acquired a nod to signify the Tremendous Eagles on the AFCON.

Austin Eguavoen invited Mikel to the AFCON. He had little alternative. His brilliance on the U-20 World Cup was too good to be ignored and on his AFCON debut, he scored and assisted Christian Obodo’s aim towards Zimbabwe.

That proved to be Mikel’s grand entrance right into a nationwide staff profession that gave him good recollections.

3. Nigeria vs Argentina – Netherlands 2005 WYC Ultimate

The sport nonetheless fondly remembered after near twenty years was the one Nigerians stood up for Mikel. Mercurial, effervescent, environment friendly, the previous Chelsea midfielder confirmed nice offensive and orchestrating talent. The one blight on what may have been an ideal evening was the presence of a far larger footballer, Lionel Messi. Though Nigeria misplaced the sport, Mikel received many hearts

2. Nigeria vs Honduras – 2016 Olympics Third Place match

Mikel had drawn the ire of Nigerian followers in 2008 when he missed out on the Olympics resulting from membership engagement. It might take a while to forgive him and Nigerians by no means utterly forgave him till his main success 5 years later.

In 2016, he defied the warnings of then Chelsea supervisor Antonio Conte to steer the Dream Crew XI to the Olympics. Mikel underlined his legendary standing on the event as he led the staff to a bronze medal end in Rio de Janeiro.

1. Nigeria vs Burkina Faso – 2013 AFCON last

By far an important sport of Mikel’s Tremendous Eagles profession, Mikel was pivotal to Nigeria profitable its first AFCON in virtually twenty years and simply its third in historical past.

The achievement got here in his seventh yr within the nationwide staff and on his 4th AFCON. Mikel performed only one extra version of the event earlier than quitting the nationwide staff in 2019.

He was Tremendous Eagles captain and led the senior nationwide staff to 2 main tournaments together with the 2018 World Cup, 2019 AFCON.