Mikel Obi Reveals Ex-Chelsea Owner, Roman Abramovich’s Role In Survival Of His Father

Former Chelsea star, John Obi Mikel has credited the club’s former owner, Roman Abramovich for the safe return of his father from kidnappers’ den.

During the Obi One Podcast Live event, Mikel reacted to John Terry’s emotional comments about Abramovich, who the former captain said was treated unfairly after being forced to sell Chelsea. Terry had said the situation made him feel “sick,” and Mikel said he felt exactly the same.

“Roman cares about everyone around him, whether they are players or fans. I still remember when my father was kidnapped in Nigeria, he called me on his own initiative,” Mikel said.

He went on to share how Abramovich reached out immediately. “He was very concerned about my situation at that time and said to me, ‘Mikel, what do you need now? Is there anything I can do for you? Do you know how to rescue your father?’ I replied, ‘I don’t know. I haven’t contacted the kidnappers yet.’ He then said, ‘Okay, listen. As long as you agree, give me 24 hours, and I will definitely bring your father back safely.’”

Mikel admitted he was stunned by Abramovich’s confidence. “I thought to myself: ‘Oh my God, Roman, my father is still in Nigeria, and even I don’t know exactly where he is. How can you possibly rescue him?’ But he just said: ‘Don’t worry, I can definitely do it.’ That’s the kind of gangster-like determination he had. And this is precisely the manifestation of his love for the players, for ‘his players’, and for the entire club.”

Mikel credited Abramovich for transforming Chelsea into a global giant. “All the achievements we’ve made today are entirely because of Roman. We are Chelsea Football Club. We’ve won so many trophies, and now being one of the biggest clubs in the world, all of this can be traced back to Abramovich.”