MESUT Ozil was over the moon to come face to face with Austin Jay Jay Okocha, the German star has admitted.
Nigeria legend Okocha was a special guest during Fenerbahce’s UEFA Europa League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday, having played with distinction for both clubs.
The Super Eagles Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup hero came to prominence while playing for Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga between 1992 and 1996, lighting up the league with his sometimes outrageous skills.
He then played for Turkish giants Fenerbahce from 1996 to 1998, where he was treated as a cult hero after scoring 30 goals in 62 appearances from midfield.
Ozil, who was born in Germany to Turkish parents and was a Fenerbahce fan while growing up, naturally idolised the Nigerian magician and wanted to be like him.
The 33-year-old former Real Madrid midfielder joined Fenerbahce from Arsenal on a free transfer in January and was one of the players privileged to take pictures with Okocha on Thursday night in Istanbul.
Although Ozil was an unused substitute, he was pictured with the Nigerian, both holding up a Fenerbahce shirt with Okocha 10 on the back.
“What an honour to meet one of my childhood idols: Jay Jay Okocha. It’s been great talking to you my friend 👍🏼 #M1Ö,” Ozil tweeted on Friday.
Okocha’s wondrous skills and incredible balance, which characterised his career across the Super Eagles, Eintracht Frankfurt, Fenerbahce, Paris Saint-Germain and Bolton Wanderers, inspired young and aspiring footballers all over the world in the 1990s and early 2000s.
