33 Legends The football almanac

Jay-Jay Okocha vs John Obi Mikel

Both Nigeria. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.

JO

Jay-Jay Okocha

Nigeria · 1993–2006 · CAM

Rank in Nigeria
#1 of 33
Caps · Nigeria
75 · 14 goals
Clubs
Eintracht Frankfurt, Paris Saint-Germain, Bolton Wanderers

Five Karlsruhe defenders, some of them twice, then Oliver Kahn: that was Okocha's route to goal in Frankfurt on 31 August 1993, a strike Kahn still calls dizzying and Jürgen Klopp rates the best in Bundesliga history. The 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and Olympic gold at Atlanta in 1996 head his list, followed by the 2000 AFCON final with Nigeria, three World Cups, the captaincy of the Super Eagles, and a 1998 move to Paris Saint-Germain that made him the most expensive African footballer of his day. Career record: 75 caps and 14 goals for Nigeria; club career at Eintracht Frankfurt, Paris Saint-Germain, Bolton Wanderers.

Career sourcesCareer dates · checked 4 October 2026
Identity and career · Wikidata Q605817
vs
John Obi Mikel

John Obi Mikel

Nigeria · 2006–2019 · CDM

Rank in Nigeria
#7 of 33
Caps · Nigeria
91 · 6 goals
Clubs
Chelsea, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, Stoke City

On 26 June 2018, the day Nigeria played Argentina at the World Cup, he learned his father had been kidnapped, said nothing to the dressing room and played the full ninety minutes. Career record: 91 caps and 6 goals for Nigeria; club career at Chelsea, Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, Stoke City.

Career sourcesCareer dates · checked 4 October 2026
Identity and career · Wikidata Q166984
Your view · Which career speaks to you?

A personal choice. Cast votes in the national duels below.

The careers, side by side

Jay-Jay Okocha is editorial rank 1 and John Obi Mikel rank 7 in Nigeria's collection. Read the careers and make your own choice.

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