John Obi Mikel thumbs up Ademola Lookman decision to choose Nigeria early

By Saheed Afolabi

Nigerian football legend John Obi Mikel has praised Ademola Lookman for his decision to represent Nigeria at a young age.

The Atalanta forward switched his international allegiance to the Super Eagles in 2022, a move Mikel believes demonstrates commitment and foresight.

Mikel expressed his concerns about players who delay their choices regarding national representation until later in their careers.

“Players have to wait for a while before they decide they want to represent their African roots. I genuinely think it shouldn’t be that way,” Mikel said in an interview with BeIN Sports.

He emphasized that players who choose to play for countries like England, France, or Germany should make their intentions clear early on.

“If you have decided where you want to play, you have to wait. If you don’t get called up, that’s your decision,” he added.

Advocating for younger players, Mikel stated, “If you are 20 years old, make your decision. Don’t wait until you are 26 or 28. Don’t wait until you are past your best and become a second option.”

Mikel specifically highlighted Lookman’s timely switch, saying, “I think Ademola Lookman made the right decision to switch quickly to represent Nigeria, and he’s done really well. He played well last season and he’s such a fantastic player.”

As the Super Eagles continue to build their squad, Mikel’s insights underline the importance of early commitment to national representation for the future of Nigerian football.