Former Chelsea player John Obi-Mikel has spoken out about his father’s abduction in 2018, stating that upon learning of his plight, former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich offered to “send people over” to Nigeria to assist with his release.
The day before the former Chelsea midfielder represented Nigeria against Argentina in the 2018 World Cup, Mikel’s father, Pa Michael Obi, was abducted.
The 36-year-old, who is currently retired, was discussing the kidnapping of Luis Diaz’s parents in Colombia, where his father is still being kept captive but his mother was promptly set free.
Mikel, whose father was freed after he paid the ransom, told Diaz he understood “exactly what he is going through” as he described the agonizing situation, the support he received, the unexpected intervention of Russian billionaire Mikhail Abramovich, and his talkSport interview.
He said, “Chelsea were very supportive.” Roman [Abramovich] reportedly asked, “Do you want me to send people over? Because I am confident that I can get your dad out if I send someone there. “How are you going to do this?” I asked.
“Don’t worry about that,” he said. Please allow me to do that if that is what you would like to do.
“It was extremely heartbreaking to learn that my dad had been abducted once more,” Mikel continued.
“I was unable to exit the room.” Not that I could tell anyone. For nearly half an hour, I was alone myself in the room, wondering what to do. Should I let the manager know? Should I let my teammates know? Or ought I to announce something?
But the greatest game of our lives is about to begin. We are going to play Argentina and Lionel Messi.
So I gave it some thought. I thought, well, what do you know? I’m going to remain silent. My brothers and mother were crying when I called them.
“You shouldn’t go out and play because you won’t be able to perform well,” they were saying.
I decided to go out there and perform after giving it some alone time. I’m going to play outside now.
So I kept it a secret. I entered the field and began to play. We lost the game, which was unfortunate, and I subsequently informed everyone.
The manager and a few players were on the verge of tears in the locker room. “You should have told us and you shouldn’t have played,” they were saying.
My dad was sobbing and pleading with me on the phone, telling me to give them what they want since they’ve been beating me up here and they keep putting a pistol to my head and threatening to murder me. I was able to secure my dad’s release by making a sizable payment.
Speaking of Diaz, who has continued to play for Liverpool in spite of his own tragic circumstances and has gotten tremendous support from the team, he stated he can really identify to what he is going through and urged him to “stay strong.”
“I’m glad to see how supportive Liverpool is,” he remarked. “I have to commend Liverpool for their efforts.”
“I understand Luis Diaz and his experiences.” There is nothing at all you can do in a scenario like this.
“I hope he stays strong because I know exactly what you’re going through.” I am aware that he is having a difficult moment as a player. I am aware of the struggles that his family faces as well.
It is truly painful to think of what your mother, sisters, brothers, and other family members will be going through.
“Remain strong and do everything in your power to ensure your dad’s release,” is my message to him.
Mikel played 372 games for Chelsea throughout the course of his 11 seasons there.
