The Nigerian legend Jay-Jay Okocha has responded to claims saying he taught the former Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho how to play football.

Ronaldinho joined Paris Saint Germain in 2001 where he met the Nigerian star Okocha who was one of their best players in the team. The Brazilian later became a superstar with many thinking he was taught by Jay-Jay Okocha.

Okocha was one of the best players to play for Nigeria. He won the African Cup of Nations in 1994 and was also nominated for the African Footballer of the Year award where he came second in 1998.

The Former Nigerian midfielder was asked in an interview if he taught the Brazilian the skills he has today but gave a swift response about the quality of the skilful midfielder.

Ronaldinho knows football
Ronaldinho became one of the best midfielders in the world during his era and former Nigerian player Jay-Jay Okocha has acknowledged his footballing skills.

During an exclusive with Pulse Sports, Okocha was asked if he taught Ronaldinho what later made him a global superstar, he said, “I won’t say that I taught him everything, he knows about football.

“I would say that he picked one or two things from me but I wasn't the one that taught him, not even ten per cent of the skills that he can do.”

The 49-year-old dismissed the idea of teaching the Brazilian legend the skills he has, saying he already knew those skills but could have picked one or two things from him.

Okocha’s career

Okocha started playing in Europe in 1991 when he joined Eintracht Frankfurt. He then moved to the Turkish side Fenerbahçe. In 1998 he moved from Fenerbahçe to Paris Saint Germain for a fee of £14 million and became the most expensive African player at that time.

He was later joined by young Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho in 2001 and was said to have mentored him during his playing days at PSG.

After the 2002 World Cup, Jay-Jay Okocha moved from the French Ligue 1 on a free transfer to the Premier League where he signed for Bolton Wanderers. Okocha captained Bolton to their first cup final in nine years where they finished runners-up in 2004.

After rejecting a new contract in Bolton, he left the club and went to Qatar where he spent just a year before moving back to England to play for Championship side Hull City. He helped Hull City gain promotion to the Premier League but was unable to offer more to the team due to injury which led to his retirement.

Source: Pulse Sports Nigeria

https://pulsesports.ng/football/story/ronaldinho-learnt-a-few-things-from-me-okocha-2023050316280367198

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