Biography
John Michael Nchekwube Obinna (born 22 April 1987), known by his nickname Mikel Obi, is a retired Nigerian footballer and successful businessman. From humble beginnings at Plateau United in Nigeria, his talent was quickly recognised by Lyn in Norway, where he made a name for himself before being acquired by Chelsea in 2006 in a controversial transfer.
Mikel Obi spent over a decade at Chelsea, becoming a fan favourite and winning numerous domestic and international honours, including the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League and Europa League. In 2017, he made a bold move to the Chinese Super League, signing for Tianjin TEDA in a lucrative deal.
His time in China was short-lived, however, and Mikel Obi returned to England to play for Middlesbrough and Trabzonspor before eventually joining Stoke City in 2020. Despite a busy club career, he also represented his country, Nigeria, with distinction, earning 91 caps and scoring six goals in an international career spanning 14 years, including appearances at the FIFA World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations.
Off the pitch, Mikel Obi has proven himself to be a shrewd 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.
Former Nigerian footballer
Mikel Obi |
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 Mikel Obi: History ‧ Biography ‧ Photos |
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| Wiki Events & About Data | |
| Full name: | John Michael Nchekwube Obinna |
| Stage name: | Mikel Obi |
| Born: | April 22, 1987 (age 37) |
| Place of birth: | Jos, Highlands, Nigeria |
| State of origin: | Plateau State |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Height: | 1.88 minutes |
| Parents: | Michael Obi, Irosu Obi |
| Siblings: | Patrick Tochukwu Obi, Ebere Obi |
| Couple: | Olga Diyachenko (married 2015) |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | Genevieve Nnaji (rum.), Rita Dominic (rum.), Sandra Okagbue (rum.) |
| The children: | Ava Obi, Mia Obi |
| Job: | Football player • Businessman |
| Net worth: | $45 million |
Early life and 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, his father is a successful businessman and member of the Igbo ethnic group, Michael Obi, who owns a federal transport company in Jos, and his mother is a businesswoman, Irosu Obi, who has had a significant influence on his life.
Mikel Obi has two siblings; his elder brother, Ebele Obi, is a talented goalkeeper for Heartland FC, and his younger brother, Patrick Tochukwu Obi, also known as Edgar Obi, is an emerging music artist signed to the record label MMM Records.
At the age of 12, Mikel Obi’s natural footballing talent was discovered when he was selected from over 3,000 young players to join the prestigious Pepsi Football Academy. The academy has a team that travels across Nigeria to scout emerging talent with the potential to play professionally.
Personal life
Mikel Obi, a former Nigerian footballer, has been happily married to his wife Olga Diyachenko, a Russian model and businesswoman, for over five years. Olga Diyachenko’s father is a prominent Russian billionaire, and her mother’s name is Irina Diyachenko.
The couple met in London in 2013, and two years later, they married in a low-key ceremony held at an undisclosed location in Russia. The event was kept secret, with only a handful of close friends and family members invited to share in their joy.
Mikel Obi and Olga Diyachenko welcomed twins, Ava Obi and Mia Obi, in the UK on September 13, 2015, and since then, the family has grown closer.
In 2019, there were many rumors about the couple’s relationship after Mikel Obi left Turkish club Trabzonspor. It was rumored that Olga Diyachenko had opposed her husband’s decision to stay, leading to criticism from fans. However, he clarified that he 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 the kidnapping of his father in Nigeria on 12 August 2011 had a profound impact on him. Despite being emotionally distraught, he played a match two days later and made a heartfelt appeal 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 help from the Enugu State Police who successfully rescued his father after a gunfight.
Finally, in the past, Mikel Obi has been rumored to have had relationships with several famous Nigerian actresses, including Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic, and Sandra Okagbue. However, he has never confirmed or denied these rumors.
Career
Manchester United’s signing of Mikel Obi on 29 April 2005 was one of the most controversial in football history. The deal was done without his agent present, leading to a bitter dispute with rival club Chelsea, who had agreed terms with the player and his agent. The deal was initially reported to be worth £4 million, and he was set to join the United squad in January 2006.
However, the controversy did not end there. Several unidentified sources contacted Mikel Obi by telephone, threatening him. He joined Manchester United, where he impressed Chelsea’s José Mourinho during his training sessions. However, Chelsea filed a counterclaim 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 legality of Chelsea’s original deal.
Despite the shock, Mikel Obi expressed his delight at joining Manchester United at a press conference, where he wore the number 21 shirt. His time at the club was marked by suspicion when he went missing during a Norwegian Cup match against Klemetsrud. There were even reports that Lyn director Morgan Andersen had kidnapped him, leading to a huge media storm and a police investigation.
Overall, Mikel Obi’s journey to Manchester United has been a bumpy one, filled with controversy, doubt and drama. It’s a story that has gripped the football world and left many wondering what would have happened if Mikel Obi had joined Chelsea.
Net worth
Mikel Obi’s net worth is estimated to be around $45 million. He has made his money through his successful football career. He also has several endorsement deals, which have contributed to his net worth.
Social media
- Instagram name: @John_mikel_obi
- Twitter Username: @John_mikel_obi
