Nigeria Players Abroad
“People don’t know me” – Nigeria and Lyon star Gift Orban on having attitude issues
By Monsurah Olatunji
Nigeria International, Gift Orban, has opened up about his personality and the challenges he faces in adapting to a new environment amidst rumors of attitude problems.
The 21-year-old, recently integrated into the Olympique Lyonnais dressing room, has sparked controversy regarding disruptions caused by his attitude and behavior in training sessions.
French journalist Romain Molina highlighted concerns about the player’s temperament, suggesting a lack of due diligence by the club in assessing Orban’s background.
However, club captain Alexandre Lacazette refuted these claims, defending Orban and labeling him as misunderstood.
In response to the speculations, Orban expressed his straightforward approach to communication and the importance of authenticity.
Despite his preference, the Nigerian star prioritized team unity by embracing the French music favored by his teammates.
“People don’t know me, but that’s me. I say what I think, I tell the truth. If you do something I don’t like, I won’t do anything behind your back; I will stand in front of you and say it. I’m not a hypocrite; I am direct, and I don’t have a problem with anyone here,” he said, per L’Equipe.
“I try to be nice to everyone, to come to training and share my joy. If you see me from afar, you’ll tell yourself that I’m a bit weird, but once you get close to me, you’ll realize I’m easy-going and respectful. You just need to know me. I’ve experienced some things in life that make me like this; I am not afraid of anything.
“You can say that I am trying to control it. When you have a hot and determined personality, you need to know how to manage it, so I try to channel my energy; it’s important. You always have to behave well and especially adapt when you arrive somewhere.
“I’ll give you an example: personally, I like Burna Boy, good Nigerian music.
“When I arrived at Lyon, there was French music in the dressing room, with things like ‘wesh’ (a French slang word). I don’t like it at all, but for the group, I accept that they play it, and I listen to my music at home. The most important thing is the club and my teammates before me.”
