Image Credit: Кирилл Венедиктов
Former Super Eagles captain, John Obi-Mikel, has shared a deeply personal and emotional story about his father's kidnapping in 2018, shedding light on a surprising offer of help from former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. Mikel's father, Pa Michael Obi, was abducted the day before the ex-midfielder played in Nigeria's crucial World Cup match against Argentina.
Mikel, who has since retired from professional football, discussed this traumatic experience in the context of the recent kidnapping of Luis Diaz's parents in Colombia. He empathized with Diaz, who experienced a similar ordeal.
He revealed that Chelsea, the club he played for at the time, provided immense support during this challenging period. In a surprising turn of events, Roman Abramovich offered to send people to Nigeria to assist in his father's release. Mikel was taken aback by the offer and questioned how it could be achieved, but Abramovich reassured him of the possibility.
Mikel's decision to keep the kidnapping a secret and play in the crucial World Cup match against Argentina was a difficult one. He explained how he contemplated whether to inform his manager, teammates, or make a public announcement but ultimately chose to play the game without revealing the situation. After the match, he informed his team, and the emotional response from the manager and players was profound.
Reflecting on the support he received from Chelsea and the ordeal he endured, Mikel expressed empathy for Luis Diaz and his family, urging the Liverpool player to remain strong during this challenging time. His message to Diaz and his family is one of solidarity and resilience, drawing from his own experience to offer support and encouragement during moments of crisis
