Former Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel has recounted the kidnapping ordeal of his father in 2018, while representing Nigeria at World Cup in Russia.
Mikel who was speaking against the background of the kidnapping of Liverpool’s Luis Diaz father, revealed that former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich offered to “send people over” after hearing of his predicament.
Mikel’s dad Pa Michael Obi was grabbed by gunmen on eve of Nigeria v Argentina World Cup clash, he managed to play the match Nigeria lost at the dying minutes to the Argentinian team captained by Lionel Messi.
“Chelsea were very supportive,’ he told talksports.com
“I remember Roman [Abramovich] saying, “Do you want me to send people over? Because I know if I send people over, I can get your dad out”. I was like, “how are you going to do this?”
‘He said, “Don’t worry about that. Just let me, if you want that option, I can do it”.’
Mikel added: “Just knowing that my dad has been kidnapped again was absolutely heartbreaking.
” I couldn’t leave the room. I couldn’t tell anybody. I was alone in the room for about 30 minutes, thinking what am I going to do? Shall I tell the manager? Shall I tell my teammates? Or should I make an announcement?
“But we’re about to go into the biggest game of our lives. We’re about to play against Lionel Messi and Argentina.
“I thought about it. I was like, okay, you know what? I’m going to keep quiet. I called my mum and my brothers, everybody was crying on the phone.
“They were saying no you shouldn’t go out and play because you’re not going to be able to perform well.
” I took time on my own and I decided that I’m going to go out there and perform. I’m going to go out there and play.
” So I didn’t tell anybody. I went on the pitch and I played. Sadly, we didn’t win the game and then after that I told everybody.
” In the dressing room the manager and some of the players were almost in tears. They were saying, “you should have told us and you shouldn’t have played”.
” I heard my dad on the phone crying saying can you give them what they want because I’ve been beaten up here and they’ve got a gun on my head every time saying they’re going to kill me. I managed to pay lots of money to get my dad released.”
Speaking of Diaz, who has played on for Liverpool despite his own heartbreaking situation and received huge support from the club, he said he can relate hugely to what he is experiencing – urging him to ‘stay strong’.
“I am happy to see that Liverpool are very supportive,’ he said. ‘I must give credit to Liverpool for what they’re doing.’
” I can relate to Luis Diaz and what he’s going through. This kind of situation is where you absolutely have nothing to do.
” I know exactly what you’re going through and I hope he stays strong. I know it’s a tough time for him as a player. I know what his family as well are going through as well.
” You have your brothers, you have your mum, you have your sisters and what they will be going through is absolutely heartbreaking.
” My message to him is stay strong and do all you can to make sure that your dad is released.”
