₦airaland Forum

John Obi Mikel Turns 32 Today.

John Michael Nchekwube Obinna (born 22 April 1987), variously known as John Obi Mikel, John Mikel Obi or Mikel John Obi, is a Nigerian professional footballer who captains both English club Middlesbrough and the Nigeria national team as a defensive midfielder.

Mikel was born in Jos, Nigeria, as John Michael Nchekwube Obinna, the son of Michael Obi, who runs an inter-state transport company in Jos, the capital of Plateau State. As his father was a member of the Igbo ethnic group, "Nchekwube" means "hope" and "Obi" is a nickname for the Igbo name "Obinna" (meaning "Father's heart".

Mikel started his football career at the age of 12 when picked as a talented footballer from over 3,000 young talents to play in Pepsi Football Academy, a team that at the time was well known for travelling across Nigeria scouting young footballers with the potential to play professionally. Obi stood out to scouts and was later picked to play for top-flight club Plateau United, a side that had previously developed stars Celestine Babayaro, Victor Obinna and Chris Obodo, among others, that went on to success in European leagues. Later known as John Obi Mikel, he made headlines for his country at the FIFA Under-17 World Championships held in Finland. Following the tournament, he went on to a trial at South Africa club Ajax Cape Town, ultimately joining Oslo-based club Lyn Fotball in Norway.

During preparations for the 2003 FIFA Under-17 World Championships, the Nigerian Football Association (NFA) mistakenly submitted "Michael" as "Mikel" for the tournament in Finland. He decided to keep the new name, saying that it had a "special ring to it." On 31 July 2006, he stated that he prefers to be called Mikel John Obi instead of John Obi Mikel, as he had most commonly been called.

In the summer of 2005, Mikel played for Nigeria at the FIFA World Youth Championships held in the Netherlands. He had an excellent tournament until Nigeria reached the final, where they lost 2–1 to Argentina. Obi won the Silver Ball after being voted the tournament's second-best player.

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Obi_Mikel

HBD to him

This guy don reach 32.... Happy Birthday my Nigga. Much love.

Happy Birthday to him.

Mikel that is over 40, Happy birthday...

Dominate Google page one with your
business fast. check my profile

Nice one bro

Happy birthday to him

Happy birthday to him

Happy Birthday Mikel... The guy na real Igbo businessman... Impregnated the daughter of a Russian billionaire (and she gave birth to twins)... If football no pay again, maga must pay.

The only Nigerian footballer that doesn't have football age

a

If Mr Mikel is 32, then I'm 13 years old.

HBD

Happy Birthday to him !

Is that is real age? I love how he controls his family. That's what a Man should be able to do. Know how to control your family to be the best.

one of the few igbos doing better outside d shores of the country unlike those who will fumble n later blame everyone except themselves

Happy birthday uncle Mikel

YourCoffin:
The only Nigerian footballer that doesn't have football age

but played nigerian league at 17. Abeg commot for here

Anambra born Mikel is making black race proud

more of a football age,age gracely obi...we sell chinese yuan.we ship from china to nigeria at @ $4.2/kg..

Chai obi don they old ooo

[color=#550000][/color] happy birthday

you mean 40?