Alex Iwobi Could Become Nigeria’s Number 10 After Mikel Obi Retires

A week ago, Mikel Obi revealed that the ongoing 2019 AFCON will be his last. With his international retirement now imminent, fans are wondering who will take up the highly coveted number 10 jersey on the team, and it’s looking like it’s going to be Alex Iwobi.

With the number 10 jersey worn by a bunch of football legends, including the likes of  Pelé, Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Jay-Jay Okocha and even Lionel Messi, it’s safe to say that it’s the mark of the playmaker on any team.

Now, with Iwobi serving as the playmaker in some of Nigeria‘s recent games, fans are speculating that the number will go to him. If this happens, then it would be quite special, given that Okocha is his uncle and he has often been compared to him.

However, the Arsenal player, who’s currently the Super Eagles‘ number 18, doesn’t really seem to care what his squad number is, as he’s only interested in being the best player he can be. The 23-year-old was quoted by All Nigeria Soccer as saying:

“Obviously, number 10 is a very special jersey to my family and to the country, but if it’s number 10, if it’s number 18, I’ll always go and represent and do my best.”

As you would imagine, we’re keen to see how all this plays out after Obi ends his run.