John Obi Mikel is no longer a professional football player. The 35-year-old midfielder announced on Instagram on Tuesday that he is hanging up his football boots. Mikel was without a club for over a year after he left Kuwait SC and has now decided to end his active career. The controller from Nigeria experienced his absolute peak in 2012 when he conquered the Champions League with Chelsea.
“There is a saying ‘all good things come to an end’, and as far as my professional career is concerned, that day has now arrived,” Obi Mikel wrote on his Instagram page on Tuesday. “I look back on the past twenty years with great satisfaction. I am happy with the achievements I have made and the person I have become. None of this would have been possible without the unconditional help of my family, managers, clubs , trainers, teammates and last but not least the loyal supporters. You were there during all the highs and lows, even when I did not live up to expectations. Thank you very much for that,” said the very grateful Nigerian, who shows, among other things, a photo in which he the Champions League cup shows the Chelsea fans after the win over Bayern Munich in the final of 2012. Obi Mikel did not get off the bench during the final battle ten years ago.
“This is not a goodbye, but the start of another journey,” emphasizes Obi Mikel. “A new chapter in my life begins here. I am excited to see what the future holds and I hope you will join me on this journey. Thank you again.” Mikel has played for Lyn, Chelsea, Tianjin TEDA, Middlesbrough, Trabzonspor, Stoke City and Kuwait SC in his career. The retired veteran came the longest at Chelsea: between 2006 and 2017. He concluded his period in West London with 372 duels in all competitions. In addition to the Champions League, Obi Mikel also won the Europa League with Chelsea, two English league titles, four FA Cups, twice the EFL Cup and once the Community Shield.
This Tuesday, Fabian Delph also announced via Instagram that he is stopping. The 32-year-old midfielder was without an employer after he left Everton last summer. Delph won the championship twice with Manchester City and finished fourth with England at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The experienced midfielder ended up at Manchester City via Leeds United and Aston Villa, although he was never able to conquer a permanent place due to injuries due to injuries. the Citizens. At the end of his career he played for Everton for some time. Behind his name are twenty caps on behalf of the English national team.
Enjoy your retirement, @Mikel_John_Obi!
Thanks for the memories. ?? pic.twitter.com/xK9EnCo4XE
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 27, 2022
