Chelsea Legend Mikel Obi Explains Why Nigerian Football Fans Don’t Like Him
- Former Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has shared reasons why Nigerian fans do not respect him
- The Chelsea legend also shared his thoughts on the differences between international and club football
- The 39-year-old had a successful career with the London-based club, winning two Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League title, and one Europa League title in his 11-year stint
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John Mikel Obi is not holding back on his opinion about Nigerian football fans not liking him.
The former Super Eagles captain remains one of the greatest players to have risen from the Nigeria U17 to the senior national team, winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013.
The two-time Premier League winner said his love for the country remains undiluted, giving his best whenever called up.
Source: Getty Images
Why Nigeria fans don't like me - Mikel Obi
Super Eagles legend John Mikel Obi explained that Nigerian fans believe that he always gives his best to Chelsea (his former club), rather than his country.
In a viral video on TikTok, the former Stoke City star said international football remains one of the toughest because the players have limited time to train together.
The three-time AFCON bronze medallist said some sections of fans said he is not going to attain the status of a legend in the country's football, per linktre. He said:
"I have a sort of love and hate relationship with my Nigerian fans because they always think I've been successful with Chelsea, and I put in more effort in terms of winning trophies with the London club.
"I want to let them know that it doesn't work like that. Sometimes, when it comes to playing with the national team, I come and see the players for two to four days and I play a game.
"I always say international football is the most difficult trophy to win. When you win with your national team, it is actually the toughest."
Source: Getty Images
Obi responds to critics
2013 AFCON winner John Mikel Obi said he remains one of the most dedicated Nigerian football players.
The Rio 2016 Olympics bronze medallist said he was the star of the team during his playing days. He said:
"So I had that sort of love-and-hate relationship. I do care about playing for Nigeria because I was the star of the team, and that is why they put so much pressure on me."
John Mikel Obi won the AFCON in 2013, finished in third place on three occasions (2006, 2010, and 2019), and placed second at the 2005 FIFA U20 World Cup, per Transfermarkt.
Mikel Obi recounts spending over ₦50m on Nigeria Olympic team
Legit.ng earlier reported that John Mikel Obi revealed that the Nigerian government has yet to reimburse him for covering the flight expenses of the national Olympic football team in 2016.
The Super Eagles legend stated that the team was on the verge of missing their first game against Japan before his special intervention, explaining that he consulted with coach Samson Siasia before making the move to pay for the chartered flight to Brazil.
Source: Legit.ng
