Get to know a little bit about Mikel Obi, one of the best and youngest professional football (soccer) player out of Nigeria. Check out his mansion in London on ‘Give it up for Lenton’, an ESPN show.
Background:
Mikel Obi, a Nigerian-born professional football mid-fielder, began his career with Plateau United in Nigeria before spells with Ajax Cape town in South Africa and Norwegian side Lyn Oslo. He fast became one of the most sought-after young players in Europe and in 2005 Manchester United beat a host of interested parties to his signature. But Mikel had other ideas, and despite appearing at a press conference in a United shirt, the midfielder claimed he had been pressured into the move and wanted to move to Chelsea instead. A legal dispute ensued but eventually the Chelsea deal was done, costing the Blues £16 million in a complex judgment which involved money being paid to both United and Lyn.
For Nigeria, he was touted as a future superstar after a series of scintillating displays in the 2005 Under-20 World Youth Championships earned him the Silver Ball for second best player in the tournament, behind Lionel Messi. He played for the Super Eagles in the 2006, 2008 and 2010 African Nations Cup, and played seven games of the qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup.
Source: ESPN
