Former German midfielder Mesut Ozil has taken to his Twitter page to celebrate his meeting with his childhood idol Jay-Jay Okocha in Istanbul, Turkey.
The 48-year-old Nigerian football icon was among the dignitaries that were invited to watch the Europa League match between his former clubs – Fenerbahce and Frankfurt on Thursday, December 9, 2021.
Before the game, the retired Nigerian international was showcased to the spectators and Ozil presented a Fenerbahce jersey, with “Okocha” and number 10 embroidered on it, to the former PSG and Bolton Wanderers star.
Afterward, Mesut Ozil had the chance to pose by Jay Jay Okocha who the former Real Madrid and Arsenal midfielder has always referred to as his childhood idol.
After the Europa League game which ended 1-1 in Istanbul, Mesut Ozil took to Twitter to share the picture he snapped with the Nigerian football icon.
In the caption, the former Arsenal midfielder who joined Fenerbahce on January 25, 2021, on a free transfer described Okocha as one of his childhood idols.
He wrote: “What an honor to meet one of my childhood idols: Jay-Jay Okocha. It’s been great talking to you, my friend.”
What an honour to meet one of my childhood idols: Jay Jay Okocha 🇳🇬🔟💛💙 It's been great talking to you my friend 👍🏼 #M1Ö pic.twitter.com/d7XXvIDJrf
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) December 10, 2021
Jay Jay Okocha played for Fenerbahce between 1996 and 1998. He scored over 30 goals in 62 appearances for the Turkish side.
He joined the club from a German side, Eintracht Frankfurt where he played entertaining football between 1992 and 1996. The retired attacking midfielder scored 18 goals in 90 appearances before he left the German club.
Hence, when Fenerbahce and Eintracht Frankfurt met in the Europa League on Thursday, they decided to invite the legendary Okocha to watch the game.
The 1994 AFCON and 1996 Atlanta Olympic gold medal winner helped Fenerbahce to win Prime Minister’s Cup in 1998 and Atatürk Cup in 1999.
“We hosted our legendary Nigerian player Jay-Jay Okocha at our stadium to watch Fenerbahçe’s match against Germany’s Eintracht Frankfurt at Ülker Stadium Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saracoğlu in the 6th and last week of UEFA Europa League Group D,” a statement Fenerbahce published on the club’s official website read.
“Before the match, our captain Mesut Özil presented Okocha the number 10 Fenerbahçe jersey with his name on it. Our fans, who came to our stadium to watch the match, showed great interest to Jay-Jay Okocha with applause and cheers.”
Mesut Ozil has scored 5 goals and provided 1 assist for Fenerbahce in 16 games in all competitions so far this season. His contract with the Turkish side will expire on June 30, 2024.
