Nigerian star Mikel Obi has retired from football, the former Chelsea midfielder said on Tuesday.
Mikel on retirement
Mikel on his official social media platforms thanked those who supported him to have a successful career.
He said, “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.
Mikel Obi retires from football at the age of 35 Pulse Nigeria
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 is regarded as one of the greatest players out of Nigeria with a career decorated with several trophies at the club level and on the international stage.
John Mikel Obi with Nigeria’s 2013 AFCON title Pulse Nigeria
Mikel with Nigeria
As a youngster, Mikel represented Nigeria at all youth levels. He was part of the U-17 team at the 2003 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Mikel rose to prominence representing Nigeria at the 2005 FIFA U-17 FIFA World Cup in the Netherlands at the Flying Eagles finished second to a Lionel Messi-led Argentina side.
Mikel also featured for the U-23 team at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil taking home a Bronze medal.
During his time with the senior national team, Mikel played an integral role as the Super Eagles won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
He was also part of Bronze medals AFCON teams in 2006, 2010, and 2019 editions.
Obi Mikel left Chelsea in 2017 for Chinese outfit Tianjin TEDA before his return to England for Middlesbrough only two years later.
He then moved to Turkey in 2019 where he won the Turkish Cup with Trabzonspor a year later.
Obi Mikel made one final comeback to England in 2020 for Stoke until his departure for Kuwait SC a year later.
The Chelsea hero had been a free agent since last November until his decision to roll credits on his career.
