Former captain of the senior national team of Nigeria John Obi Mikel says he is open to the idea of returning to the team, four years after announcing his decision to quit international football and one year after he quit active football.
Mikel played 91 games for the senior national team of Nigeria making the step up from the U17 through the U20 before reaching senior level. He also represented the U23 team as one of the overaged players at the 2016 Olympic games in Rio.
A veteran of two world cups and four AFCON tournaments, one of which the team won in 2013 , he decided to quit international football after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt bringing to an end a 14 year spell with the Super Eagles.
On 27 September 2022, Mikel announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 35.He has since launched a podcast of his own where he gives his opinion on recent happenings in football as well as sharing some of his experiences during his active days.
Asked about a potential return to the Super Eagles in a different capacity with the team set to begin the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, and also the next Africa Cup of Nations he said it’s an idea he will love to experience.
” Getting involved in a backroom role is something that I think I will love. The transformation from the pitch to the technical bench is something that fascinates me and if the opportunity comes from Nigeria, I will be open to help play a part in the success of the team”, he said.
Osas Mahawi
