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Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has named John Obi Mikel as the Super Eagles star he believes retired too early, Footynaija reports.
Okocha made the comment while discussing Mikel, suggesting the former Nigeria captain still had more to offer when he ended his playing career four years ago.
Mikel retired from football in 2022 at the age of 35. His decision came after a near 20-year career that included a long spell at Chelsea, where he made 372 appearances and won major trophies, including two Premier League titles, the Champions League and Europa League.
His international career had also ended earlier. Mikel announced his retirement from Nigeria after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, aged 32. Nigeria won the bronze medal after beating Tunisia 1-0 in the third-place match.
Okocha’s view is linked to the quality Mikel still showed late in his career. In 2020, after leaving Trabzonspor, Mikel said he was open to returning to English football and told BBC Sport Africa that he had received offers from English clubs. He was 33 at the time and said he was not in a hurry to retire.
Mikel eventually played for Stoke City before a spell with Kuwait SC. Chelsea also noted that he kept himself in strong shape after retirement and played most of a 2023 Legends match against Bayern Munich at Stamford Bridge. Mikel said he wished he had known earlier what he knew about fitness and preparation at the end of his career.
His record gives weight to Okocha’s argument. Mikel won the 2013 AFCON with Nigeria and helped Chelsea win the 2012 Champions League. In the final against Bayern Munich, he delivered a strong midfield performance as Chelsea won on penalties.
