“I always wanted to be him” – Super Eagles star names AC Milan and Brazil great as football hero

One of many most interesting shot-stoppers of his era, Dida is probably greatest remembered for his ten-year stint with AC Milan from 2000 to 2010

Tremendous Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has named former Brazilian shot-stopper Nélson de Jesus Silva ‘Dida’ as his position mannequin.

Dida was, for the perfect a part of a decade, one of many world’s greatest goalkeepers, successful a number of trophies and particular person awards with AC Milan and Brazil.

The previous Cruzeiro ace gained two UEFA Champions League trophies with the Rossoneri in addition to the Serie A, the Coppa Italia, the Supercoppa Italiana, and the FIFA Membership World Championship in 2007.

With Brazil, Dida gained the Copa America in 1999, the 2002 FIFA World Cup hosted by South Korea and Japan, and two FIFA FIFA Confederations Cups in 1997 and 2005.

The AC Milan Corridor of Famer was named the Finest Brazilian Goalkeeper of the twenty first Century by the IFFHS.

Okoye was solely born in 1999, the yr Dida gained the Campeonato Brasileiro with Corinthians earlier than sealing a transfer to Europe to hitch Milan.

However the Watford goalkeeper says he adored the Brazilian nice and was happy to be in comparison with him when he was youthful.

“Straightforward…Dida! I don’t even want to consider that reply,” Okoye mentioned when requested who was his goalkeeping hero, as per the Watford Observer.

“Once I was younger I all the time wished to be him. I liked AC Milan again then and he was a legend, an actual beast in aim. Folks did name me the ‘younger model of Dida’, which I appreciated.”

Okoye made 61 appearances for Sparta Rotterdam, retaining 18 clear sheets earlier than finishing a swap to Watford.

He’s anticipated to be the Hornets’ primary gloves man within the Championship subsequent season as they chase on the spot promotion to the Premier League.