Former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi today announced his retirement from football.
“There is a saying that “all good things must come to an end and for my professional football career, that day is today,” Mikel announced on social media.
“I look back at the last 20 years of my career and I must say that I am very satisfied with all that I was able to achieve and more importantly the human it has helped shape.
“All of this would not have been possible without the unwavering support of my family, managers, clubs, coaches, teammates and most importantly my ever-loyal fans.
“You supported me through my highs and lows, even on days that I did not live up to your expectations.
“I say a big thank you.”
He added: “I will also like to encourage everyone who I may have inspired one way or the other in the course of my career to never give up their dreams, for every time you think about quitting, remind yourself why you started.”
He said his retirement has birthed “another journey, another chapter in my life” and he hopes some people will also walk with him in this regard.
Mikel, 35, was one of Nigeria’s most decorated players in a career that spanned over two decades and three continents.
The midfielder won all the major honours at Chelsea in the Premier League in England – Premier League title, FA Cup as well as League Cup.
He also won the UEFA Champions League as well as the UEFA Europa League with the same London club.
He also won the 2013 AFCON with the Super Eagles as well as bronze at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
He was named second best player at the 2005 FIFA U20 World Cup behind Lionel Messi after the Flying Eagles were beaten in the final by Argentina.
