Bolaji Okunola
Middlesbrough fans has nicknamed John Obi Mikel “African Zidane” for his outstanding performance since joining the Championship side.
The Super Eagles’ captain, who had since being receiving accolades from fans, was praised as some of them tweeted; “The African Zidane @mikel_john_obi@Boro.”
Likes and comments were still popping in from tweets, praise singing the former Chelsea star, who is arguably referred to as the most experience player to star for the club.
Zinedine Zidane, a French soccer legend was crowned thrice as the World Footballer of the Year.
Zidane and Mikel both donned the number 10 jersey for the national teams. Just as Zidane inspired the French team to lift the 98 FIFA World Cup and EURO 2000, Mikel also did same by helping Nigeria won the 2013 AFCON.
At club level, both players won the UEFA Champions League for Real Madrid and Chelsea respectively.
Incidentally, the former Real Madrid boss, featured in four clubs [Cannes, Bordeaux, Juventus and Real Madrid] in his active days, just as Mikel who is currently in his fourth club after playing for Lyn Oslo, Chelsea and Tianji Teda. Mikel, who is one of the most decorated football stars in Africa would be aiming for victory in Boro’s next Championship fixtures against table toppers, Leeds United.