Biography

John Michael Nchekwube Obinna (born April 22, 1987), known by his nickname Mikel Obi, is a retired Nigerian footballer and successful entrepreneur. With humble beginnings at Plateau United in Nigeria, his talent was quickly recognized by Lyn in Norway, where he made a name for himself before being acquired by Chelsea in 2006 in a transfer that was mired in controversy.

Mikel Obi spent over a decade at Chelsea, becoming a fan favorite and winning numerous domestic and international titles, including the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, and Europa League. In 2017, he boldly moved to the Chinese Super League, signing with Tianjin TEDA in a lucrative deal.

However, his time in China was short-lived, and Mikel Obi returned to England to play for Middlesbrough and Trabzonspor before eventually joining Stoke City in 2020. Despite his busy club career, he also represented his country, Nigeria, with distinction, earning 91 caps and scoring six goals in a 14-year international career, including appearances at the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.

Off the field, Mikel Obi has proven himself to be a savvy businessman with interests in real estate, hospitality, and agriculture. His success in football and business has cemented his status as one of Nigeria’s most beloved and respected figures.

Mikel Obi
Mikel Obi: History ‧ Bio ‧ Photo
Wiki Facts & About Data
Full Name:	John Michael Nchekwube Obinna
Stage Name:	Mikel Obi
Born:	22 April 1987 (age 36 years old)
Place of Birth:	Jos, Plateau, Nigeria
State Of Origin:	Plateau State
Nationality:	Nigerian
Height:	1.88 m
Parents:	Michael Obi, Irosu Obi
Siblings:	Patrick Tochukwu Obi, Ebere Obi
Spouse:	Olga Diyachenko (m. 2015)
Girlfriend • Partner:	Genevieve Nnaji (rum.), Rita Dominic (rum.), Sandra Okagbue (rum.)
Children:	Ava Obi, Mia Obi
Occupation:	Footballer • Businessman
Net Worth:	$45 million

Early Life & Education

John Michael Nchekwube Obinna, popularly known as Mikel Obi, hails from a village in Jos, Plateau State, located in the North Central region of Nigeria. Born on April 22, 1997, to a successful businessman and member of the Igbo ethnic group, Michael Obi, who owns an inter-state transport company in Jos, and a businesswoman, Irosu Obi, who has been a significant influence in his life.

Mikel Obi has two siblings; his elder brother, Ebele Obi, is a gifted goalkeeper for Heartland FC, and his younger brother, Patrick Tochukwu Obi, also known as Edgar Obi, is a rising music artist signed to MMM Records.

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At the age of 12, Mikel Obi‘s innate talent for football was discovered when he was selected out of over 3,000 young footballers to join the prestigious Pepsi Football Academy. The academy had a team that roamed Nigeria to scout for budding talents that had the potential to compete professionally.

Personal Life

Mikel Obi, the former Nigerian footballer, has been happily married to his wife Olga Diyachenko, a Russian model and entrepreneur, for over five years. Olga Diyachenko‘s father is a well-known Russian billionaire, and her mother’s name is Irina Diyachenko.

The couple met in 2013 in London, and two years later, they tied the knot in a low-key ceremony held at an undisclosed location in Russia. The event was kept under wraps, and only a few close friends and family members were invited to share in their joy.

Mikel Obi and Olga Diyachenko welcomed twin daughters, Ava Obi and Mia Obi, in the UK on September 13, 2015, and since then, the family has grown stronger with each passing day.

In 2019, there was a lot of buzz about the couple’s relationship after Mikel Obi left his Turkish club Trabzonspor. There were rumors that Olga Diyachenko had been against her husband’s decision to stay, leading to fans’ criticism. However, he clarified that he had left the club due to COVID-19 concerns and not because of his wife’s wishes.

Mikel Obi is very close to his family, and his father’s kidnapping in Nigeria on August 12, 2011, profoundly impacted him. Despite his emotional turmoil, he played in a match two days later and made a heartfelt plea for his father’s release. Fortunately, his father was found alive in Kano ten days later.

In 2018, he faced a similar situation when his father was kidnapped again at the start of the World Cup. He kept the news to himself but sought the help of the Enugu State Police, who successfully rescued his father following a gunfight.

Finally, in the past, Mikel Obi was rumored to have been romantically involved with several famous Nigerian actresses, including Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic, and Sandra Okagbue. However, he has never confirmed or denied these rumors.

Career

The signing of Mikel Obi by Manchester United on April 29th, 2005, was one of the most controversial events in football history. The deal was made without the presence of his agents, which led to a heated dispute with rival club Chelsea, who had already agreed with the player and his agents. The initial deal was reported to be worth £4 million, and he was set to join the United squad in January 2006.

However, the controversy didn’t end there. Several unknown sources contacted Mikel Obi via telephone, threatening him. He joined Manchester United, where he impressed Chelsea’s José Mourinho during his training sessions. Nevertheless, Chelsea filed a counter-claim challenging Manchester’s authority to sign Mikel Obi, and it was soon revealed that he had been training with the club’s first team throughout the summer of 2004, casting further doubt on the legitimacy of Chelsea’s initial agreement.

Despite the drama, Mikel Obi expressed his happiness to join Manchester United at a press conference where he donned the number 21 shirt. His time at the club was marked by further suspicion when he went missing during a Norwegian Cup game against Klemetsrud. There were even reports that the director of Lyn, Morgan Andersen, had kidnapped him, leading to a massive media storm and a police investigation.

All in all, Mikel Obi‘s journey to Manchester United was bumpy, marked by controversy, suspicion, and drama. It was a saga that captivated the football world and left many wondering what could have been if Mikel Obi had joined Chelsea instead.

Net Worth

Mikel Obi‘s net worth is estimated to be around $45 million. He has made his money through his successful soccer career. He also has several endorsement deals, contributing to his net worth.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @John_mikel_obi
• Twitter handle: @John_mikel_obi

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