John Mikel Obi, Chelsea Football Club Midfielder Retires at 35 with US$45M in Net-Worth
“There is a saying that “all good things must come to an end”’ and for my professional football career, that day is today. I look back at the past 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. 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 on their dreams, for every time you think about quitting, remind yourself why you started. This is not goodbye, it’s the start of another journey, another chapter of my life. I look forward to what the future holds and I hope you will walk with me. Thank you”
_ Mikel Obi, as posted on Instagram
John Obi Mikel, the Nigerian professional footballer who played as a midfielder for English club Chelsea and the Nigeria national team, announced his retirement on Tuesday after a 20 year career in professional football.
Without controversies, scandals and training ground bust-ups, Mikel maintained a respectable reputation his entire career. He retires as one of the richest African footballer with a net worth of US$45 million.
Flashback
Born John Michael Nchekwube Obinna in 1987 Jos, Nigeria, John began his career with local club Plateau United after being chosen for the Pepsi Football Academy at the age of 12. He went on to play for Nigeria at the FIFA Under-17 World Championships in Finland. He changed his name at this occasion after his name was incorrectly registered as ‘Mikel’ (rather than Michael). It is said that he liked it so much that he kept it.
John Obi was first signed by Manchester United in 2005 but was quickly switched to Chelsea Football Club days later, in a another case of the English clubs competing for fresh African talent.
Mikel began his career with local club Plateau United, before joining Norwegian club Lyn at the age of 17 in 2004. While at Chelsea, Mikel maintained first-team role under 11 different managers, from José Mourinho to Carlo Ancelotti, highlighting his abilities to adapt to the different tactics and strategies brought in by every new manager.
Obi has won 11 major trophies in 10 years at Chelsea Football Club, 2 Premier league, 4 FA cup, 2 League cup, Charity shield, Europa league and Champions league. By 2016, he had a pass completion rate of 89.93% , higher than anyone in the Premier League.
Though not being among the highest earning footballers, Mikel Obi launched the Mikel Obi Foundation in 2012, the height of ethnic-religious conflict in Nigeria. At age 25, he started providing assistance to homeless and displaced people who were victims of violence between Muslims and Christians or rival ethnic groups, in his hometown Jos.
While some fans say Mikel Obi was Chelsea’s most underrated midfielder, he is appreciated as a modest hard-working soldier who enthusiastically devoted and desired to combat for Chelsea. He is a renowned philanthropist among other Nigerian professional footballers giving back to their home communities like Nwankwo Kanu, Joseph Yobo, John Utaka, Ikechukwu Uche, Taye Taiwo and Emmanuel Emenike.
