Iwobi crowns Jay‑Jay Okocha his GOAT and crafts his dream midfielder

ALEX IWOBI has revealed that his uncle and Super Eagles legend Jay‑Jay Okocha remains his greatest footballer of all time – both on and off the pitch. Speaking on the “Is This Seat Taken” podcast, Iwobi said: “In the sport? Forever my uncle, Jay Jay Okocha. I have to shout him out all the time.”

Iwobi, now plying his trade at Fulham after spells at Arsenal and Everton, grew up watching Okocha’s mesmerising dribbling and flair. He explained: “I used to go and watch his matches and training sessions. He is the one that really taught me how to express myself. And off the pitch he is always advising me on how to be professional, manage my money, how to move, stay humble and grounded. So he will always be my idol.”

Building on that, during a charity event with ESPN, Iwobi was asked to assemble his ideal midfielder from various footballing legends. He chose specific qualities he admires: Okocha’s magical dribbling Frank Lampard’s clinical finishing Mesut Özil’s precise passing; N’Golo Kanté’s tireless work‑rate Andrea Pirlo’s technique; and Kaká’s football IQ.

Editorial

We marvel at how Alex Iwobi’s admiration for Jay‑Jay Okocha showcases the enduring influence of football lineage. By calling Okocha his GOAT, Iwobi honours not only family ties but the artistry that enriches the beautiful game. This choice reveals the importance of role models who shape both one’s identity and ambition.

We recognise that Iwobi’s thoughtful selection of elements for his perfect midfielder reflects football’s composite nature. He demands flair AND discipline, vision AND grit, intelligence AND technical skill. This holistic approach underscores that modern midfield excellence is not about flamboyance alone but the seamless fusion of diverse strengths.

We note with interest Iwobi’s deliberate nod to Lampard’s scoring, Özil’s creativity, Kanté’s engine, Pirlo’s artistry and Kaká’s football smarts. His choices speak to a well-rounded football intellect and a hunger to evolve. He’s not building a fantasy he’s setting real benchmarks.

We believe Iwobi’s remarks offer a blueprint for player development. Mentorship, multifaceted training, and guiding young talents toward balance these are the pathways to producing midfielders who can influence games in every dimension.

If Iwobi integrates even half the traits he admires into his own game, he stands to inspire the next generation—to work not just harder, but smarter not just with passion, but with purpose.

Did You Know?

1. Jay‑Jay Okocha earned the nickname “so good they named him twice” during his spell in the Premier League.
2. Okocha represented Nigeria at three FIFA World Cups (1994, 1998, 2002) and won Olympic gold in Atlanta in 1996.
3. Iwobi’s “Project 17” charity initiative is named after his long‑time squad number from his Arsenal days.
4. As a youth at Arsenal, Iwobi almost got released at 14 and again at 16 before earning a professional contract in 2015.
5. Among Iwobi’s chosen icons, N’Golo Kanté has won back to back Premier League titles with Leicester City (2016) and Chelsea (2017), showcasing work-rate at the highest level.