View source for Mikel John Obi

{{short description|Nigerian association football player}}
{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Mikel John Obi
| image = Mikel John Obi (53557649520) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Mikel in 2024
| fullname = Mikel John Obi<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-africa-36883336 |title=Africa highlights: Nigeria secret police budget probe, Uganda 'anti-porn machine to arrive soon' |first1=Dickens |last1=Olewe |first2=Damian |last2=Zane |website=BBC News |date=2 August 2016 |access-date=10 July 2021}}</ref>
| birth_name = John Michael Nchekwube Obinna<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2655376-john-obi-mikel-legally-changes-his-name-after-nigerian-fa-mistake |title=John Obi Mikel Legally Changes Name to Mikel John Obi After Nigerian FA Mistake |website=Bleacher Report |date=2 August 2016 |access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|4|22|df=y}}<ref name=Hugman>{{Hugman|24569|Mikel Obi|access-date=23 January 2020}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Jos]], Nigeria
| height = 1.88 m<ref>{{cite web |title=Chelsea FC Player Profile |url=http://www.chelseafc.com/first-team/player/33408/title/john-mikel-obi |publisher=Premier League |access-date=30 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905072818/http://www.chelseafc.com/first-team/player/33408/title/john-mikel-obi |archive-date=5 September 2013 }}</ref><ref name="Chelsea FC profile">{{cite web |url=http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268~33408,00.html |title=Chelsea FC profile |publisher=Chelsea FC |date=16 July 2008 |access-date=16 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080715212549/http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0%2C%2C10268~33408%2C00.html |archive-date=15 July 2008 }}</ref>
| position = [[Defensive midfielder]]<ref name=Hugman/>
| currentclub = 
| clubnumber = 
| youthyears1 = 2002–2004
| youthclubs1 = [[Plateau United F.C.|Plateau United]]
| years1 = 2004–2006
| clubs1 = [[FK Lyn|Lyn]]
| caps1 = 6
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2006–2017
| clubs2 = [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
| caps2 = 249
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2017–2018
| clubs3 = [[Tianjin TEDA F.C.|Tianjin TEDA]]
| caps3 = 31
| goals3 = 3
| years4 = 2019
| clubs4 = [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]]
| caps4 = 18
| goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2019–2020
| clubs5 = [[Trabzonspor]]
| caps5 = 19
| goals5 = 0<!-- LEAGUE ONLY -->
| years6 = 2020–2021
| clubs6 = [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]
| caps6 = 39
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2021
| clubs7 = [[Kuwait SC]]
| caps7 = 0
| goals7 = 0
| totalcaps = 362
| totalgoals = 6
| nationalyears1 = 2016
| nationalteam1 = [[Nigeria national under-23 football team|Nigeria Olympic]]
| nationalcaps1 = 6
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 2005–2019
| nationalteam2 = [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]]
| nationalcaps2 = 91
| nationalgoals2 = 6
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[association football|football]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|NGA}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Africa Cup of Nations]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2013 Africa Cup of Nations|2013 South Africa]]|}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[2006 Africa Cup of Nations|2006 Egypt]]|}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[2010 Africa Cup of Nations|2010 Angola]]|}}
{{Medal|3rd|[[2019 Africa Cup of Nations|2019 Egypt]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Football at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[2016 Summer Olympics|2016 Rio de Janeiro]]|[[Football at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|Team]]}}
}}
'''Mikel John Obi''' {{post-nominals|country=NGA|MON}} (born '''John Michael Nchekwube Obinna'''; 22 April 1987), also known as '''John Obi Mikel''', is a Nigerian former professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[defensive midfielder]].

Mikel began his career with local club [[Plateau United F.C.|Plateau United]], before joining Norwegian club [[Lyn Fotball|Lyn]] at the age of 17 in 2004. In 2006, he made a controversial transfer to English club [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] after [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] claimed they had already signed him.

He stayed with Chelsea for 11 years where he won multiple titles, including two [[Premier League]] titles, four [[FA Cup]]s, and the [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League|2011–12]] [[UEFA Champions League|Champions League]]. After leaving Chelsea, he had brief stints at [[Tianjin TEDA F.C.|Tianjin TEDA]], [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]], [[Trabzonspor]], [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] and [[Kuwait SC]].

In a 14-year international career between 2005 and 2019, he played 91 times for [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]], scoring six goals. He went to five [[Africa Cup of Nations]] tournaments (winning in [[2013 Africa Cup of Nations|2013]]), two [[FIFA World Cup|World Cups]], and won a bronze medal at the Olympics in [[Football at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2016]].

==Early life==
Mikel was born in [[Jos]], Plateau State,<ref name="Hugman" /> to the son of Michael Obi, who runs an inter-state transport company in Jos.<ref name="gurdiankidnap">Fifield, Dominic. [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/aug/15/father-chelsea-mikel-jon-obi Father of Chelsea's Mikel John Obi the victim of kidnapping] The Guardian, 15 August 2011.</ref> His father was a member of the [[Igbo people|Igbo ethnic group]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=13 May 2005|title=Obi's father calls for truce|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/4544613.stm|access-date=25 January 2009}}</ref>

==Club career==

===Early career===
Mikel started his football career at the age of 12 when picked as a talented footballer from over 3,000 young talents to play in [[Pepsi Football Academy]], a team that at the time was well known for travelling across Nigeria scouting young footballers with the potential to play professionally.

Obi stood out to scouts and was later picked to play for top-flight club [[Plateau United F.C.|Plateau United]], a side that had previously developed stars such as [[Celestine Babayaro]], [[Victor Obinna]] and [[Chris Obodo]], among others, that went on to success in European Leagues. Later known as John Obi Mikel, he made headlines for his country at the [[2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship|FIFA Under-17 World Championships]] held in [[Finland]]. Following the tournament, he went on to a trial at South Africa club [[Ajax Cape Town F.C.|Ajax Cape Town]], ultimately joining [[Oslo]]-based club [[Lyn Fotball]] in Norway.<ref>{{cite web|title=John Obi Mikel |url=http://www.mtnfootball.com/africa/nigeria/premier-league/star-players/john-obi-mikel.html |publisher=mtnfootball.com |access-date=8 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130108103657/http://www.mtnfootball.com/africa/nigeria/premier-league/star-players/john-obi-mikel.html |archive-date=8 January 2013 }}</ref>

===Transfer to England===
{{quote box |width=40% |author={{mdash}} Mikel John Obi, reflecting on his bizarre transfer saga.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=John Obi Mikel Reveals Truth Regarding Kidnapping Rumours Before Chelsea Move |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/chelsea/news/john-obi-mikel-reveals-truth-regarding-kidnapping-rumours-before-chelsea-move |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220315134251/https://www.si.com/soccer/chelsea/news/john-obi-mikel-reveals-truth-regarding-kidnapping-rumours-before-chelsea-move |date=13 Oct 2021 |archive-date=15 March 2022 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |last=Emms |first=Nick}}</ref>
|quote=Look, I wasn't really kidnapped. I was just staying away from the public eye making sure no one knew where I was. But there was a public announcement in Norway that, if anyone saw me, they should report it to the police, so we had to go and hide. Obviously, [Manchester] United were trying to get hold of me. So were Lyn. There were some tough times. It was like a movie.
}}
On 29 April 2005, a few days after Mikel turned 18, [[Premier League]] club [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] announced that they had struck a deal with Lyn to sign him.<ref>{{Cite news|date=29 April 2005 |title=Man Utd get Chelsea target Mikel |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/4499893.stm |work=BBC Sport |access-date=5 June 2006 }}</ref> United's website also claimed that they had done a deal directly with the teenager and that he had signed a contract to join them. Mikel's agents were bypassed as the club persuaded him to sign a four-year contract without representation. Lyn allegedly sent a fax to his agents abroad, claiming their services were no longer required by Mikel. Reports said the deal was initially worth £4&nbsp;million,<ref>{{Cite news|date=18 June 2005 |title=Obi makes plea for Chelsea switch |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4106482.stm |work=BBC Sport |access-date=5 June 2006 }}</ref> and would see Mikel arrive at [[Old Trafford]] in January 2006.

[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], Manchester United's Premier League rival, later issued a counter-claim suggesting that they already had an agreement with Mikel and his agents, but Lyn denied this claim. Subsequent reports indicated that Chelsea claimed to have been involved in arranging the player's original move to Europe with a view to signing him at a later date. Further substance was added to this claim after it was revealed that the player had impressed Chelsea manager [[José Mourinho]] while training with the club's first-team squad during the summer of 2004.

Mikel expressed his delight at joining Manchester United in a hastily arranged press conference, where he was pictured holding up a  United shirt bearing the squad number 21.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/simply-the-top-ten-football-transfers-that-might-have-been/attachment/jon-obi-mikel |title=John Obi Mikel False Transfer |publisher=FootballFanCast.com |access-date=25 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230234030/http://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/simply-the-top-ten-football-transfers-that-might-have-been/attachment/jon-obi-mikel |archive-date=30 December 2013 }}</ref> Following his signing of the contract to join United, there were claims from Norway that he had received threatening phone calls from unknown sources. Mikel was assigned a security guard and moved to a safe hotel. On 11 May 2005 he went missing during a [[Norwegian football cup|Norwegian Cup]] game against Klemetsrud; he had not been selected for the match but had been watching from the stands. Whilst he was believed to have left with one of his agents, John Shittu, who had by now flown in to meet Mikel, his disappearance sparked massive media coverage in Norway and also provoked a police enquiry after Lyn director [[Morgan Andersen]] made claims in the Norwegian media that Mikel had been "[[kidnapping|kidnapped]]". These claims were later repeated by Manchester United's assistant manager [[Carlos Queiroz]], who accused Chelsea of being involved in the alleged "kidnapping".<ref>{{cite web |title=Carlos Demands Authorities Act On Mikel Saga |url=http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsId=175542&itype=466&icategoryid=120 |work=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=13 May 2005 |access-date=5 June 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060515133606/http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsId=175542&itype=466&icategoryid=120 |archive-date=15 May 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

It subsequently emerged that Mikel had travelled to [[London]] with Shittu, who was working for [[Jerome Anderson (football agent)|Jerome Anderson]]'s SEM group.<ref name="Teenager caught up in a tug-of-war">Marcotti, Gabriele. [https://www.thetimes.com/article/teenager-caught-up-in-a-tug-of-war-j332gdcvtxw "Teenager caught up in a tug-of-war"], [[The Times]], 23 May 2005. Retrieved 31 January 2011.</ref> Manchester United manager [[Alex Ferguson]] considered travelling to Oslo to visit Mikel, but decided against this after Mikel was reported to have left the country.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Man Utd seek Obi transfer probe |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/4540261.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=13 May 2005 |access-date=5 June 2006 }}</ref> Staying in a London hotel and some nine days after disappearing, Mikel stated on [[Sky Sports News]] that he had been pressured into signing the contract with United without his agent present, claims rebuffed by both Manchester United and Lyn.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Obi desperate to sign for Chelsea |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/4564623.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=20 May 2005 |access-date=5 June 2006 }}</ref> Mikel told the British media that Chelsea were the club he genuinely wanted to sign for. In response to these events, United made a complaint to [[FIFA]] about the behaviour of both Chelsea and the player's agents, Shittu and [[Rune Hauge]], already infamous for his role in the [[George Graham (footballer, born 1944)|George Graham]] bungs scandal.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Man Utd/Lyn go to Fifa in Obi row |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/4560453.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=18 May 2005 |access-date=5 June 2006 }}</ref> FIFA dismissed these claims in August 2005, stating there was insufficient evidence to bring a case against Chelsea.

Following the tournament, Mikel failed to return to Lyn, and the club subsequently lodged a complaint with FIFA. On 12 August, FIFA ruled that Mikel should return to Lyn to fulfil the remainder of his contract with the club, whilst they would decide at a later date whether the contract he signed with United should be upheld or cancelled.<ref>{{cite web|title=Decision of the Dispute Resolution Chamber |url=http://lyn.no/files/mikeldom.PDF |publisher=Lyn Oslo |access-date=5 June 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051223010930/http://lyn.no/files/mikeldom.PDF |archive-date=23 December 2005}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Fifa orders Obi's return to Lyn |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/4146890.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=12 August 2005 |access-date=5 June 2006}}</ref> After a delay of over a month, Mikel complied with the FIFA decision and returned to Lyn in early September 2005 after a three-month absence.

====Transfer resolved====
Rather than leaving FIFA to determine the validity of the contract signed with Manchester United, Chelsea intervened by volunteering to settle the transfer saga through negotiation with Lyn and Manchester United.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chelsea to sign Jon Obi Mikel |url=http://www.chelseafc.com/article.asp?hlid=392067&m=6&y=2006&nav=news&sub=latest+news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114104358/https://www.chelseafc.com/article.asp?hlid=392067&m=6&y=2006&nav=news&sub=latest+news |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 November 2019 |work=chelseafc.com |publisher=Chelsea FC |date=2 June 2006 |access-date=5 June 2006 }}</ref>

On 2 June 2006, the three clubs reached a settlement. Mikel's registration was to be transferred from Lyn to Chelsea, and Manchester United agreed to terminate their option agreement with him. Under the terms of the agreement, Chelsea agreed to pay United £12&nbsp;million, half paid upon the finalization of the contract and the other half in June 2007, and Lyn £4&nbsp;million, half payable immediately and half in June 2007. As a result of this settlement, all claims in the matter were withdrawn.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Reds Agree £12m Obi Fee With Chelsea |url=http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=335071&itype=466&icategoryid=120 |work=ManUtd.com |publisher=Manchester United |date=2 June 2006 |access-date=2 June 2006 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> On 19 July, Chelsea were granted a work permit for Mikel after they completed the £16&nbsp;million signing in June 2006.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Champs Chelsea secure Obi Mikel permit |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=374089&cc=5739 |work=ESPNsoccernet |date=19 July 2006 |access-date=19 July 2006 |archive-date=23 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023190911/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=374089&cc=5739 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the aftermath of the transfer, Lyn director Morgan Andersen, who had a previous conviction for forging official documents,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.nettavisen.no/sport/article1347797.ece |title=Morgan har jukset foer |publisher=nettavisen |date=21 September 2007 |access-date=6 February 2008}}</ref> was convicted of fraud and making false accusations; he was given a one-year suspended jail sentence by an Oslo court. The court also ordered him to pay 20,000 [[Norwegian krone|kroner]] (£1,944) in costs.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Gordon |last=Tynan |title=Former Lyn director convicted of fraud over Mikel deal |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/former-lyn-director-convicted-of-fraud-over-mikel-deal-801115.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220514/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/former-lyn-director-convicted-of-fraud-over-mikel-deal-801115.html |archive-date=14 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |publisher=Independent News and Media |location=London |date=27 March 2008 |access-date=27 March 2008}}</ref> Chelsea made a High Court claim for £16 million against Lyn and Andersen following the conviction, claiming that the previously agreed settlement was not binding as "the transfer was based on a fraudulent misrepresentation, now proven by a court of law."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/7663564.stm |title=Chelsea launch £16m Mikel claim |access-date=6 December 2008 |date=10 October 2008 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> This claim was subsequently resolved out of court.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/7759465.stm |title=Blues resolve Mikel case with Lyn |access-date=6 December 2008 |date=1 December 2008 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref>

===Chelsea===
====2006–07 season====
On 12 September 2006, Mikel made his first start for Chelsea in the [[UEFA Champions League]] against Bulgarian club [[PFC Levski Sofia|Levski Sofia]] and took a powerful shot which the [[Goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeeper]] failed to save and [[Didier Drogba]] pounced on the rebound. Mikel received many positive comments for his performance in the match. However, since being sent off in a match against [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] on 14 October 2006, Mikel was fined on three separate occasions by Chelsea for turning up late to training.

At the time, Chelsea manager José Mourinho was believed to have strong reservations about his lifestyle outside of [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]], and the club were reportedly considering offloading the player. Mikel was dropped for over a month, during which his father Michael voiced his concerns over his son's behaviour.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/2395540/mikel-antics-causing-concern|title=Mikel Antics Causing Concern|date=16 November 2006|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=23 November 2006}}</ref> After improved punctuality and showings at training sessions, Mikel earned a recall for Chelsea's Champions League group stage away game against [[SV Werder Bremen|Werder Bremen]] on 23 November 2006. He scored his first goal for Chelsea in their 6–1 [[2006–07 FA Cup|FA Cup]] victory over [[Macclesfield Town F.C.|Macclesfield Town]] on 6 January 2007. He also scored against [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] in the following round of the competition. During Chelsea's triumph in the [[2007 Football League Cup Final|League Cup final]] in 2007, Mikel was sent off in injury time (having come on as a substitute) after clashing with [[Kolo Touré]]. The incident was followed by a huge fracas, in which Touré and [[Emmanuel Adebayor]] of [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] were sent off, [[Cesc Fàbregas]] and [[Frank Lampard]] were booked and Mourinho and [[Arsène Wenger]] were involved in an altercation on the pitch.

In subsequent games, Mourinho deployed Mikel as a starter in a holding role in key games where he impressed greatly, notably in the Chelsea–[[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] FA Cup sixth round replay, the [[2006–07 UEFA Champions League|Champions League quarter-final]] games against [[Valencia CF|Valencia]], the Champions League semi-final games against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] and also the victorious [[2007 FA Cup Final]] against Manchester United. Mikel's height and great strength, allied to good ball control and an unusually wide range of passing, allows him not only to disrupt opposing attacks, but also to spread the play effectively. Mikel supplanted the French midfielder [[Claude Makélélé]] in the lineup following his departure to [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7516798.stm|title=Makelele leaves Chelsea for PSG|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=25 July 2013|date=21 July 2008}}</ref>

====2007–08 season====
Mikel was sent-off for the third time in his career in September 2007, when referee [[Mike Dean (referee)|Mike Dean]] dismissed him for a tackle on Manchester United defender [[Patrice Evra]]. Chelsea appealed against the red card, but the three-match suspension was upheld.

Mikel was also sent off in the semi-final of the [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] against [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] for a challenge on [[Phil Neville]]. Despite this, he came back strongly to round off what has been a good first two seasons for him at Chelsea.

====2008–09 season====
[[File:John Obi Mikel 4615.jpg|thumb|upright|Mikel playing for Chelsea against Spartak Moscow]]

The summer of 2008 saw veteran defensive midfielder [[Claude Makélélé]] transferred to French club Paris Saint-Germain, leaving the defensive midfield position vacant. Throughout the [[2008–09 Chelsea F.C. season|2008–09 season]], Mikel saw a great deal of playing time due to an injury to [[Michael Essien]]. During this period of increased action, Mikel performed admirably in the role. His ever-improving game was praised by Chelsea manager [[Luiz Felipe Scolari]], and his importance to the team was underlined when he provided the free kick that [[Salomon Kalou]] scored to equalise against Manchester United. He played so well in 2008–09 that he was nominated for the club player and young player of the season. On 24 January 2009, Mikel was charged with [[Driving under the influence|drunk driving]], just hours before an [[FA Cup]] game against [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=612889&sec=england&cc=5901 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205050314/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=612889&sec=england&cc=5901 |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 February 2009 |title=Barclays Premier League – ESPNFC |publisher=ESPN |date=26 January 2009 }}</ref> – Mikel was not due to play in the game as he was serving a suspension. Although he had all that trouble on 22 July, Mikel signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/8163909.stm |work=BBC News |title=Mikel commits to new Chelsea deal |date=22 July 2009 |access-date=12 May 2010}}</ref>

====2009–10 season====
[[File:Mikel John Obi.JPG|thumb|left|upright|Mikel playing for Chelsea against Fulham on 28 December 2009]]

On 13 February 2010, Mikel provided the assist for [[Didier Drogba]]'s goal as Chelsea beat [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] 4–1 in the fifth round of the [[2009–10 FA Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=287613&cc=5901 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218061204/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=287613&cc=5901 |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 February 2010 |title=Report: Chelsea v Cardiff City – English FA Cup – ESPNFC |publisher=ESPN |date=13 February 2010 }}</ref> Mikel provided another assist for a Drogba goal in a 5–0 win over FA Cup finalists and relegated side [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] on 24 March, as Chelsea cut United's lead at the top of the table to one point.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=269840&cc=5901 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328072339/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=269840&cc=5901 |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 March 2010 |title=Report: Portsmouth v Chelsea – Barclays Premier League – ESPNFC |publisher=ESPN |date=24 March 2010 }}</ref> Mikel played the full ninety minutes in Chelsea's 7–1 smashing of [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] three days later as Chelsea kept pace in the title race with Manchester United.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/mar/27/chelsea-aston-villa-lampard |location=London |work=The Guardian |first=Amy |last=Lawrence |title=Chelsea 7–1 Aston Villa |date=27 March 2010}}</ref> In their next Premier League game against United, Mikel played excellent as a marshall in midfield as Chelsea climbed above United in the table with a 2–1 win at [[Old Trafford]], thanks to goals from [[Joe Cole]] and Drogba.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/apr/03/manchester-united-chelsea-premier-league |location=London |work=The Guardian |first=Paul |last=Wilson |title=Manchester United 1–2 Chelsea |date=3 April 2010}}</ref>

Under new manager [[Carlo Ancelotti]], Mikel continued to perform with efficiency in his defensive midfield role, notching 35 appearances for the Blues. In May 2010, he received [[2009–10 Premier League|Premier League]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8663686.stm |work=BBC News |title=Chelsea 8–0 Wigan |date=9 May 2010 }}</ref> and [[2010 FA Cup Final|FA Cup]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/may/15/chelsea-portsmouth-fa-cup-final |location=London |work=The Guardian |first=Paul |last=Wilson |title=Chelsea 1–0 Portsmouth |date=15 May 2010 }}</ref> winner's medals as part of Chelsea's first ever league-cup double winning team.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/7729348/Chelsea-Double-winner-Carlo-Ancelotti-proves-he-is-special-too.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/7729348/Chelsea-Double-winner-Carlo-Ancelotti-proves-he-is-special-too.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |location=London |work=The Daily Telegraph |first=Oliver |last=Brown |title=Chelsea Double winner Carlo Ancelotti proves he is special, too |date=15 May 2010 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

====2010–11 season====
Mikel and Chelsea started the new [[2010–11 Premier League]] campaign where they left off from the 2009–10 season, playing strong defense and adding deadly finishing. Mikel played the full 90 and helped keep three clean-sheets in the first three games as Chelsea eased past [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] 6–0 on 14 August,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8906098.stm |work=BBC News |title=Chelsea 6–0 West Brom |date=14 August 2010}}</ref> crushed [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] 6–0 at the [[DW Stadium]] seven days later<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8928161.stm |work=BBC News |title=Wigan 0–6 Chelsea |date=21 August 2010 }}</ref> and edged past [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] 2–0 on 28 August.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8945951.stm |work=BBC News |title=Chelsea 2–0 Stoke |date=28 August 2010 }}</ref>

Mikel was the preferred option in defensive midfield as teammate Michael Essien spent most of the season on the sideline with knee injuries.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thomas |first=Simeon |url=http://worldfootballcolumns.com/2011/07/12/blues-beat-essiens-knee-forces-chelseas-hand-in-midfield/ |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120921120725/http://worldfootballcolumns.com/2011/07/12/blues-beat-essiens-knee-forces-chelseas-hand-in-midfield/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 September 2012 |title=Blues Beat: Essien's Knee Forces Chelsea's Hand In Midfield « World Football Columns |publisher=Worldfootballcolumns.com |date=12 July 2011 }}</ref> The injury to the versatile Essien forced the club to play new signing [[Ramires]] more often in the second half of the season. Mikel featured in 28 Premier League campaigns for Chelsea as the London side finished in second place, nine points behind champions Manchester United.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matchday/league-table.html?season=2010-2011&month=MAY&timelineView=date&toDate=1336949999999&tableView=CURRENT_STANDINGS |title=Barclays Premier League Table |publisher=Premierleague.com |date=22 May 2011 }}</ref> Following the disappointment of not winning a title, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti was sacked by the club.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/22/everton-chelsea-premier-league |location=London |work=The Guardian |first=Dominic |last=Fifield |title=Everton 1–0 Chelsea |date=22 May 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/22/carlo-ancelotti-sacked-manager-chelsea |location=London |work=The Guardian |first=Evan |last=Fanning |title=Carlo Ancelotti sacked as manager of Chelsea |date=22 May 2011 }}</ref>

====2011–12 season====
Before the start of their league campaign, Mikel's father was abducted in his native Nigeria on 10 August; despite this, Mikel started in the club's opening fixture against Stoke City at [[Britannia Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/8701865/Chelsea-midfielder-John-Obi-Mikels-father-abducted-in-Nigeria.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/8701865/Chelsea-midfielder-John-Obi-Mikels-father-abducted-in-Nigeria.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |location=London |work=The Daily Telegraph |title=Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel's father abducted in Nigeria |date=15 August 2011 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> Mikel came close to claiming his first Premier League goal for Chelsea in an inspired game as the sides played out a 0–0 draw in new coach [[André Villas-Boas]]' first game in charge.<ref>{{cite news|last=Magowan |first=Alistair |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14435069 |title=Stoke 0-0 Chelsea |work=BBC Sport |date=14 August 2011 |accessdate=8 June 2022 }}</ref>

Due to Essien's long-term knee injury, Mikel found more playing time, but around Christmas time lost his place to new signing [[Oriol Romeu]].<ref name="footballfollower1">{{cite web|url=http://footballfollower.com/football-blog/oriol-romeu-chelsea-better/ |title=What Oriol Romeu does to make Chelsea better |publisher=Football Follower |date=13 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320035235/http://footballfollower.com/football-blog/oriol-romeu-chelsea-better/ |archive-date=20 March 2012 }}</ref> Following a run of disappointing fixtures, including a catastrophic 3–1 loss to [[S.S.C. Napoli|Napoli]] in the [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League knockout phase|Champions League]] round of 16 first leg<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01fa-0e7bfc532464-027808dc675e-1000--chelsea-floored-by-slick-napoli-comeback/ |title=UEFA Champions League 2011/12 – History – Napoli-Chelsea – |date=21 February 2012 |publisher=UEFA }}</ref> and a 1–0 defeat to West Brom,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Jamie |title=Gareth McAuley's late goal gives West Bromwich Albion win over Chelsea |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/mar/03/west-bromwich-albion-chelsea-premier-league |access-date=26 August 2020 |work=The Observer |publisher=The Guardian |date=3 March 2012}}</ref> Villas-Boas was sacked by Chelsea owner [[Roman Abramovich]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Villas-Boas sacked by Chelsea: AVB goes after just nine months |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17250464 |access-date=26 August 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=4 March 2012}}</ref> In both of these matches, Mikel was an unused substitute for the Blues.<ref name="autogeneratedcc">{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/60503/john-mikel-obi?cc=5901 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510112128/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/player/_/id/60503/john-mikel-obi?cc=5901 |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 May 2011 |title=John Mikel Obi Bio, Stats, News – Football / Soccer – – ESPNFC |publisher=ESPN |date=22 April 1987 }}</ref> Following the appointment of former Chelsea midfielder [[Roberto Di Matteo]] as interim head coach, Mikel appeared in 16 of the club's last 20 games and started in 14 of them, and began to play some of his best football for the club.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4093/nigeria/2012/05/19/3114433/john-obi-mikel-joins-league-of-champions |title=John Obi Mikel joins League of Champions |work=Goal }}</ref>

Mikel played the full 90 minutes in Chelsea's 2–1 victory over [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] in the [[2012 FA Cup Final]] on 5 May 2012, picking up a yellow card in the 36th minute.<ref name="footballfollower1"/> The [[2011–12 Premier League]] campaign saw Mikel appear in 22 league fixtures, starting 15 of them, as well as playing in eight fixtures leading up to the team's appearance in the [[2012 UEFA Champions League Final]] against [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]].<ref name="autogeneratedcc"/>

In the final in [[Munich]] on 19 May, Mikel played the full 120 minutes as the sides played out a 1–1 draw.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|last=McNulty |first=Phil |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18044385 |title=BBC Sport – Chelsea 1–1 Bayern Munich (aet, 4–3 pens) |publisher=BBC |date=19 May 2012 }}</ref> Chelsea played a tough defensive battle and Mikel was hailed by [[Sky Sports]] pundit [[Jamie Redknapp]] as playing an excellent game, putting in "a performance that I didn't think he had in him; he was putting out fires everywhere," as Chelsea claimed a 4–3 victory in the penalty shootout.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> Following his performance, Mikel told reporters that it was "best night of our lives."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4093/nigeria/2012/05/20/3115134/mikel-it-is-the-biggest-night-of-our-lives |title=Mikel: It is the biggest night of our lives |work=Goal }}</ref> Mikel's strong performances in the final stages of the season and his impressive display in Munich helped Chelsea secure [[2012–13 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] football next season despite finishing in sixth place, knocking London rivals Tottenham into the [[2012–13 UEFA Europa League|UEFA Europa League]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/may/20/harry-redknapp-spurs-europa-league |location=London |work=The Guardian |first=Sachin |last=Nakrani |title=Harry Redknapp and Spurs given bitter pill of Europa League by Chelsea |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref>

====2012–13 season====
Mikel started all of Chelsea's first five games of the new [[2012–13 Premier League]] season, and also played in the [[2012 FA Community Shield|Community Shield]] against [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Smith |first=Ben |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19133978 |title=BBC Sport – Chelsea 2–3 Man City |publisher=BBC |date=12 August 2012 }}</ref> and [[2012 UEFA Super Cup|Super Cup]] against [[Atlético Madrid]]. In November, Mikel was named on the shortlist for the [[African Footballer of the Year]] along with former Chelsea teammate Didier Drogba.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/chelsea-arsenal-stars-nominated-for-fifa-award?state=00cae4ebd79540569b31a9952e36dbe0 |title=Chelsea & Arsenal stars nominated for FIFA award |publisher=Give Me Football |date=15 November 2012 }}</ref>

Mikel was charged with misconduct by the [[Football Association]] (FA) on 22 November 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20420934 |title=Mark Clattenburg cleared by FA as Chelsea's Mikel is charged |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 November 2012 }}</ref> He was given a three-match ban and fined £60,000 for threatening referee [[Mark Clattenburg]] during a 3–2 defeat to Manchester United.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20631964|title=John Mikel Obi banned for Mark Clattenburg threats|work=BBC Sport }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20020062|title=Chelsea 2–3 Manchester United|first=Phil McNulty Chief football writer at Stamford|last=Bridge|work=BBC Sport }}</ref>

On 5 December 2012, Mikel signed a contract extension with Chelsea, keeping him at the club until 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3001387/title/five-more-years-for-mikel |title=FIVE MORE YEARS FOR MIKEL |date=5 December 2012 |access-date=5 December 2012 |publisher=Chelsea FC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207224250/http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3001387/title/five-more-years-for-mikel |archive-date=7 December 2012 }}</ref>

====2013–14 season====
[[File:John Obi Mikel 02 Chelsea vs AS-Roma 10AUG2013.jpg|thumb|Mikel playing for Chelsea in 2013]]
On 21 September 2013, Mikel scored his first-ever Premier League goal in a 2–0 win against [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-2-fulham-0-mikel-scores-first-premier-league-goal-as-chelsea-brush-aside-crisis-talk-to-go-top-8831740.html |title=Chelsea 2 Fulham 0: Mikel scores first Premier League goal as Chelsea brush aside crisis talk to go top |newspaper=London Evening Standard |date=11 September 2013 |access-date=2 September 2014}}</ref> He scored his second goal of the season in Chelsea's third round tie with [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] on 5 January 2014, heading in the opening goal in an eventual 2–0 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25539733 |title=John Mikel Obi and Oscar scored second-half goals for Chelsea to set up an FA Cup fourth round tie at home to Stoke and knock a resurgent Championship side Derby out of the competition. |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 January 2014 |access-date=3 February 2014 }}</ref> He made his 200th Premier League appearance for Chelsea on 3 February, coming on as a late substitute in a 1–0 away victory at Manchester City.

====2014–15 season====
On 30 August 2014, Mikel, who substituted [[Willian (footballer, born 1988)|Willian]] on the 75-minute mark, set up [[Diego Costa]]'s second goal after intercepting up [[Muhamed Bešić]]'s backheel pass. Chelsea went on to win 6–3 against Everton at [[Goodison Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/313409/report |title=Everton v Chelsea – 30th Aug 2014 |publisher=Sky Sports |date=30 August 2014 |access-date=31 August 2014 }}</ref> Mikel scored a rare goal against [[Sporting Clube de Portugal|Sporting CP]] on 10 December in a 3–1 victory at Stamford Bridge in the [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League|2014–15 Champions League]].

====2015–16 season====
Against [[Watford F.C.|Watford]] on Boxing Day 2015, in the first game of [[Guus Hiddink]]'s second spell in charge, Mikel came on to become the 21st player to make 350 appearances for Chelsea. Chelsea then faced [[Paris Saint-Germain F.C.|Paris Saint-Germain]] in the first leg of the [[UEFA Champions League]] round of 16. Mikel conceded a foul just outside the [[Penalty area|18-yard box]]. PSG forward [[Zlatan Ibrahimović]]'s [[Direct free kick|free kick]] deflected off Mikel, who was part of [[Direct free kick#Strategy|the wall]], and past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Just a few minutes later, however, Mikel equalised from a stoppage time corner kick. Due to the injuries of John Terry and Gary Cahill, Mikel had to play as a centre-back in multiple games.

====2016–17 season====
On 4 November 2016, it was announced that the club would not be renewing Mikel's contract when it expired at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Simon |date=4 November 2016 |title=Chelsea transfer news: Mikel John Obi will not be offered new Stamford Bridge deal and could leave in January |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-transfer-news-mikel-john-obi-will-not-be-offered-new-stamford-bridge-deal-and-could-leave-in-january-a3386961.html |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}</ref>

===Tianjin TEDA===
On 6 January 2017, Chinese club [[Tianjin TEDA F.C.|Tianjin TEDA]] signed Mikel on a free transfer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sports.ifeng.com/a/20170106/50532274_0.shtml |title=中超又一巨星！切尔西大将周薪14万镑签约泰达 |website=凤凰体育 |date=6 January 2017 |access-date=6 January 2017}}</ref> On 14 April 2018, he scored his second league goal for Tianjin, and first goal of the season against [[Guangzhou R&F F.C.|Guangzhou R&F]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://dailypost.ng/2018/04/14/mikel-obi-scores-tiajin-teda-record-second-win/|title=Mikel Obi scores as Tiajin Teda record second win – Daily Post Nigeria|date=14 April 2018|work=Daily Post Nigeria|access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref> He left Tianjin TEDA at the end of the 2018 Chinese Super League season in November 2018.

===Middlesbrough===
After two years in China, Mikel joined English [[EFL Championship|Championship]] team [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] on a short-term deal in the 2019 winter transfer window. The 31-year-old was a free agent after leaving Chinese side [[Tianjin TEDA F.C.|Tianjin TEDA]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/champions-league-winner-john-obi-mikel-joins-boro|title=Champions League Winner John Obi Mikel Joins Boro|date=24 January 2019|publisher=Middlesbrough FC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46988202|title=John Mikel Obi: Middlesbrough sign former Chelsea midfielder|date=24 January 2019|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref> Mikel made 19 appearances for Boro, scoring once against [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]] on 5 May 2019 as the team narrowly missed out on a play-off spot finishing seventh.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rotherham 1–2 Middlesbrough |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48081777 |access-date=18 August 2020}}</ref> He was released by Middlesbrough at the end of the [[2018–19 Middlesbrough F.C. season|2018–19 season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48458657|title=Stewart Downing: Former England winger among four to leave Middlesbrough|date=30 May 2019|access-date=30 May 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>

===Trabzonspor===
In the summer of 2019, Mikel joined [[Trabzonspor]] on a two-year contract with the option of a further year.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Okeleji |first1=Oluwashina |title=John Mikel Obi: Trabzonspor sign Nigeria captain on two-year deal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48828220 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=1 July 2019 |date=1 July 2019}}</ref>

It was announced on 17 March 2020, that Mikel had left Trabzonspor by mutual consent, days after expressing his concerns about the Turkish Super Lig continuing amid the global coronavirus pandemic.<ref>{{cite web|title=Coronavirus: John Mikel Obi leaves Trabzonspor after expressing fears|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/africa/51939149|website=BBC Sport |access-date=18 March 2020 |date=17 March 2020}}</ref>

===Stoke City===
Mikel signed a one-year contract with [[EFL Championship]] side [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] on 17 August 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Obi Mikel completes switch |url=https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2020/august/Obi-Mikel-completes-switch/ |website=Stoke City |date=17 August 2020 |access-date=17 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=John Mikel Obi: Stoke City sign former Chelsea midfielder |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53790842 |access-date=17 August 2020}}</ref> He made his Stoke debut on 13 September 2020 in a 0–0 draw away at [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]].<ref>{{cite web |title='Something we have sorely missed' - Stoke City fans' consensus on John Obi Mikel after ex-Chelsea star makes debut |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/stoke-city-john-obi-mikel-4511636 |website=Stoke Sentinel |date=13 September 2020 |access-date=26 May 2021}}</ref> Under [[Michael O'Neill (footballer)|Michael O'Neill]], Mikel was a key member of the team in [[2020–21 Stoke City F.C. season|2020–21]], making 41 appearances as Stoke finished in a mid-table position of 14th.<ref>{{cite web |title='Big impact' - Stoke City veteran duo expected to extend stays |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/stoke-city-contracts-mikel-chester-5087871 |website=Stoke Sentinel |date=9 March 2021 |access-date=26 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=AFC Bournemouth 0–2 Stoke City |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56953367 |access-date=18 May 2021}}</ref> At the end of the season O'Neill stated that he wanted Mikel to stay at Stoke for another year.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stoke City boss jokes he wants 'that Chelsea player on loan' next season after star turn |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-chelsea-john-obi-mikel-5391399 |website=Stoke Sentinel |date=8 May 2021 |access-date=26 May 2021}}</ref>

===Kuwait SC and retirement===
On 1 July 2021, Mikel cancelled his contract agreement with Stoke and moved to [[Kuwait SC]].<ref>{{cite web |title=John Obi Mikel |url=https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2021/july/John-Obi-Mikel/ |website=Stoke City |date=July 2021 |access-date=1 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2986020&language=en |title=John Obi Mikel joins Al-Kuwait on one year deal |publisher=Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) |access-date=1 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.goal.com/en-sa/news/mikel-former-chelsea-midfielder-leaves-stoke-city-for-al/114c2is5fu36z1rovbze5tlo7i |title=Mikel: Former Chelsea midfielder leaves Stoke City for Al Kuwait SC |website=Goal.com |access-date=1 July 2021}}</ref>

On 4 November 2021, the contract with Kuwait SC was terminated after only four months of joining the team.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.legit.ng/sports/1442065-heartbreak-as-kuwaiti-club-announce-termination-existing-contract-super-eagles-legend/ |title=Heartbreak As Kuwaiti Club Announce Termination of Existing Contract of Super Eagles Legend |work=Legit.ng - Nigeria news. |publisher=legit.ng |date=4 November 2021 |last1=Orevba |first1=Babajide }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mikel-obi-sacked-stoke-kuwait-6163739 |title=John Mikel Obi contract torn up just four months after leaving Stoke City |publisher=stokesentinel.co.uk |date=5 November 2021}}</ref> On 27 September 2022, Mikel announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 35.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 September 2022 |title=John Mikel Obi announces retirement |url=https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/john-mikel-obi-announces-retirement |access-date=27 September 2022 |publisher=Chelsea FC}}</ref>

==International career==
[[File:Iran and Nigeria match at the FIFA World Cup 2014-06-12 09.jpg|thumb|Mikel played 91 times for Nigeria; at the time of his retirement, only three players had done so more often.]]
Mikel represented the [[Nigeria national under-20 football team|Nigeria under-20 team]] at the [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship]] and won the Silver Ball for the second-best player at the tournament (behind [[Lionel Messi]]) as the Africans finished runner-up to [[Argentina national under-20 football team|Argentina]].<ref name=fifa>{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/players/player=234463/profile.html |title=John Obi MIKEL |access-date=1 July 2014 |work=FIFA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140913053622/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/players/player%3D234463/profile.html |archive-date=13 September 2014 }}</ref>

He made his debut for the [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria senior team]] on 17 August 2005, when he came on as a second-half substitute in a 1–0 friendly win over [[Libya national football team|Libya]]. He did not play for the national team again prior to being named in the squad for the [[2006 Africa Cup of Nations]]. In Nigeria's first group game, against [[Ghana national football team|Ghana]], Mikel was an unused substitute. However, he was introduced into the second game against [[Zimbabwe national football team|Zimbabwe]] early in the second half. Within ten minutes of coming on, he had supplied both the corner that resulted in [[Christian Obodo]] heading the game's opening goal, and scored Nigeria's second goal. He made his first international start in Nigeria's final group game, a 2–1 victory over [[Senegal national football team|Senegal]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/4648890.stm |title=Nigeria 2–0 Zimbabwe |publisher=BBC |date=27 January 2006 |access-date=1 July 2014 }}</ref>

In 2007, Mikel was suspended from all Nigerian national teams after manager [[Berti Vogts]] dropped him from the squad for the [[2008 Africa Cup of Nations qualification|Africa Cup of Nations qualifier]] against [[Niger national football team|Niger]] for failing to attend their previous match against [[Uganda national football team|Uganda]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/6899008.stm|title=Nigeria stand firm on Mikel|date=14 July 2007|access-date=1 July 2014|work=BBC}}</ref> Mikel cited an injury, but because he did not attend an independent check by Nigerian officials, he was dropped. This, and his refusal to play for the [[Nigeria national under-23 football team|Nigerian under-23 side]], resulted in his suspension by the [[Nigeria Football Federation]]. After apologising, he was called up to the national squad for the [[2008 Africa Cup of Nations]] in Ghana.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2287922/Premier-League-stars-at-African-Cup-of-Nations.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2287922/Premier-League-stars-at-African-Cup-of-Nations.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Premier League stars at African Cup of Nations|date=4 January 2008|access-date=1 July 2014|work=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref> At the tournament, he scored one goal and registered one assist in a match against [[Benin national football team|Benin]] to help Nigeria qualify for the quarter-finals against hosts [[Ghana national football team|Ghana]], where they lost 2–1 to their [[West Africa]]n rivals.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7224153.stm|title=Quarter-finals|date=3 February 2008|access-date=1 July 2014|work=BBC}}</ref>

[[File:FWC 2018 - Group D - NGA v ISL - Photo 31 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Mikel appeared at two FIFA World Cups: in 2014 and 2018 (pictured against Iceland in 2018).]]
Mikel had been called up for the under-23 side in preparation of the team's last [[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|Olympic]] qualifier on 26 March 2008, needing a win to qualify.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/6226934.stm |title=Nigeria axe Chelsea's Obi |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 June 2007 |access-date=21 June 2007 |first=Oluwashina |last=Okeleji }}</ref> His failure to show up for any of the qualifiers again setting off some controversy with the U23 team coach [[Samson Siasia]], who dropped him from the Olympic squad amidst significant furor from the media.

On 5 June 2010, Mikel was ruled out of the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]] in [[South Africa]] due to injury. He had been struggling to recover from a knee problem after undergoing surgery in May, though there were also reports that an ankle injury was to blame for Mikel's withdrawal.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jun/05/world-cup-mikel-john-obi|title=World Cup 2010: Mikel John Obi ruled out of Nigeria's campaign|date=5 June 2010|work=The Guardian|access-date=5 June 2010 |location=London |first=Alan |last=Gardner }}</ref>

At the [[2013 Africa Cup of Nations]], Mikel was a key player for Nigeria as they went on to win their third continental title. He was named by the [[Confederation of African Football]] (CAF) in the team of the tournament alongside teammates [[Vincent Enyeama]], [[Efe Ambrose]], [[Victor Moses]] and [[Emmanuel Emenike]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kickoff.com/news/32774/2013-africa-cup-of-nations-team-of-the-tournament |title=2013 Afcon Team of the Tournament |date=11 February 2013 |access-date=1 July 2014 |work=[[Kick Off (magazine)|Kick Off]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214010354/http://www.kickoff.com/news/32774/2013-africa-cup-of-nations-team-of-the-tournament |archive-date=14 February 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Mikel made his [[FIFA World Cup]] debut at the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 tournament]] in Brazil, earning a man of the match award in the Super Eagles' opening game against [[Iran national football team|Iran]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=255931/match=300186505/man-of-the-match.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140608105435/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=255931/match=300186505/man-of-the-match.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 June 2014|title=Iran 0–0 Nigeria|access-date=1 July 2014|work=FIFA}}</ref> He helped the team to reach the [[2014 FIFA World Cup knockout stage|knockout stage]] for the first time since [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://english.ahram.org.eg/WorldCupIn/104887.aspx|title=Africa makes history as two sides reach World Cup knockout stage|date=27 June 2014|access-date=1 July 2014|work=Ahram}}</ref>

He was selected by Nigeria for their 35-man provisional squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36623763|title=Kelechi Iheanacho included in Nigeria's Olympics squad|date=24 June 2016|access-date=25 June 2016|first=Oluwashina |last=Okeleji|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> and was later named captain of the [[Nigeria national under-23 football team|Olympics squad]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://punchng.com/mikel-makes-olympics-squad-awoniyi-standby/|title=Mikel makes Olympics squad, Awoniyi on standby|date=24 July 2016|access-date=24 July 2016|publisher=Punch}}</ref> On 13 August 2016, Mikel scored his first ever Olympic goal in a 2–0 win against [[Denmark national under-21 football team|Denmark]] to advance to the semi-final.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.naij.com/927259-rio-olympics-mikel-shines-as-nigeria-spank-denmark.html |title=Rio Olympics: Mikel shines as Nigeria spank Denmark |date=13 August 2016}}</ref> After the 2–0 defeat to [[Germany Olympic football team|Germany]], Nigeria went on to the bronze medal match against [[Honduras national under-23 football team|Honduras]]. On 20 August, Mikel helped Nigeria to the bronze medal in a 3–2 victory over Honduras. [[Nigeria at the Olympics|Nigeria]] became the first ever country to win all three medals at the [[Summer Olympic Games|Olympic Games]] with the [[Football at the 1996 Summer Olympics|1996 squad]] winning the gold and [[Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics|2008 squad]] winning the silver.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37143594 |title=Olympics 2016: Nigeria beat Honduras to win men's football bronze |date=20 August 2016 |publisher=BBC Sport |last=Okeleji |first=Oluwashina }}</ref>

In a [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF third round|2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match]] against [[Algeria national football team|Algeria]], Mikel scored a goal and assisted his Chelsea teammate [[Victor Moses]] in a 3–1 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=276412/match=300367102/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819065140/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/matches/round=276412/match=300367102/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 August 2016|title=2018 FIFA World Cup Russia – Matches – Nigeria-Algeria |last=FIFA.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cafonline.com/en-us/competitions/fifawc2018/MatchDetails?MatchId=QU+DqSqrkm/zDODzxgOSl7Cegs1AzN90ltUjoMWY7ujqGW4C6bZ6vHLr7iNdwRqD|title=CAF – Competitions – FIFA WC2018 – Match Details|last=Football|first=CAF – Confederation of African|website=cafonline.com|access-date=28 March 2018}}</ref>

In July 2019, Mikel said that the [[2019 Africa Cup of Nations]] would be his last tournament for Nigeria.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48902338|title=Africa Cup of Nations 2019: Mikel Obi admits this will be his last tournament|date=7 July 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> He retired at the end of the competition, in which Nigeria came third.<ref>{{cite news |first=Colin |last=Udoh |title=Nigeria's Odion Ighalo, John Obi Mikel retire from international football |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/nigeria/story/3902061/nigerias-odion-ighalojohn-obi-mikel-retire-from-international-football |publisher=ESPN |date=18 July 2019 |access-date=20 July 2019 }}</ref>

==Personal life==
During preparations for the [[2003 FIFA U-17 World Championship]], the [[Nigeria Football Federation|Nigerian Football Association]] (NFA) mistakenly submitted "Michael" as "Mikel" for the tournament in Finland. He decided to keep the new name, saying that it had a "special ring to it". He was most commonly referred to as "John Obi Mikel" upon his arrival at [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], but on 31 July 2006, he stated that he prefers to be called Mikel John Obi instead,<ref>{{cite web|title=Mikel John Obi|url=http://logbaby.com/encyclopedia/mikel-john-obi_8011.html#.UfCKu7RK7wg|access-date=25 July 2013|publisher=Logbaby}}</ref> and he officially changed his name to Mikel John Obi in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |first=Scott |last=Saunders |title=John Obi Mikel Officially Changes His Name and Confuses Entire World in the Process |url=https://www.90min.com/posts/3554333-john-obi-mikel-officially-changes-his-name-and-confuses-entire-world-in-the-process |website=90min |date=2 August 2016 |accessdate=17 December 2022 }}</ref>

On 18 June 2021, the Nigerian Minister of Youth Sports Development, [[Sunday Akin Dare]], announced the appointment of Obi as the country's Youth Ambassador.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mikel: Former Super Eagle promises to inspire after appointment as Youth Ambassador {{!}} Goal.com|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/mikel-former-super-eagle-promises-to-inspire-after/1e0xg05rigiqh1vbyj2764j2ak|access-date=19 June 2021|website=goal.com}}</ref>

On 12 August 2011, Mikel's father, Michael Obi, was the victim of a suspected kidnapping in Nigeria. Mikel was informed before Chelsea's match against [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] two days later but opted to play despite his concerns for his father's well-being. On 15 August 2011, Mikel made an impassioned plea for his father's safe return. He told Sky Sports News, "I've always tried to help the country, this is the time for the country to help me, whoever knows where my dad is should please contact me."<ref name="gurdiankidnap" /><ref>Oluwashina Okeleji [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14528369.stm Mikel appeals for release of abducted father] BBC Sport, 15 August 2011.</ref> Michael Obi was found alive on 22 August 2011, in the Nigerian city of [[Kano (city)|Kano]]. His abductors were reported to be in police custody.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14623543.stm John Mikel Obi's father found alive] BBC News. Retrieved 22 August 2011.</ref><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20111103021157/http://socqer.com/questions/862/were-mikel-john-obi-and-his-family-kidnap-targets-in-nigeria/ Were Mikel John Obi and his family kidnap targets?]}} Socqer.com. Retrieved 22 August 2011.</ref> On 26 June 2018, a few hours before a World Cup match, Mikel was informed of another kidnapping of Michael Obi, but did not tell any of his team members. The Enugu State Police stated that they rescued Michael Obi on 2 July after a gunfight.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Okeleji |first1=Oluwashina |title=World Cup 2018: John Mikel Obi calls for greater security in Nigeria following father's kidnapping |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44702603 |access-date=5 July 2018 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ayinor |first1=Plus |title=Nigeria's captain got a ransom demand for his kidnapped father hours before a World Cup game |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/07/03/africa/nigeria-john-mikel-obi-father-kidnapped/index.html |access-date=5 July 2018 |publisher=CNN |date=4 July 2018}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref name=Soccerway>{{cite web |title=M. Obi |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/john-michael-nchekube-obi/2536/ |website=Soccerway |publisher=Global Sports Media |access-date=14 August 2011 }}</ref>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [[FA Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes [[Football League Cup]]}}
!colspan="2"|Continental<ref>{{cite web |title=John Obi Mikel |url=https://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/player=69271/profile/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528220342/http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/players/player=69271/profile/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 May 2011 |publisher=UEFA |access-date=15 August 2011 }}</ref>
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Lyn Fotball|Lyn]]
|[[2004 Norwegian Premier League|2004]]<ref name=Soccerway/>
|[[Tippeligaen]]
|4||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||4||0
|-
|[[2005 Norwegian Premier League|2005]]<ref name=Soccerway/>
|Tippeligaen
|2||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!6!!1!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!6!!1
|-
|rowspan="12"|[[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]
|[[2006–07 Chelsea F.C. season|2006–07]]<ref name="2006/07">{{Soccerbase season|id=43353|season=2006}}</ref>
|[[Premier League]]
|22||0||6||2||4||0||9{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]]}}||0||1{{efn|name=CS|Appearances in [[FA Community Shield]]}}||0||42||2
|-
|[[2007–08 Chelsea F.C. season|2007–08]]<ref name="2007/08">{{Soccerbase season|id=43353|season=2007}}</ref>
|Premier League
|29||0||2||0||3||0||4{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|name=CS}}||0||39||0
|-
|[[2008–09 Chelsea F.C. season|2008–09]]<ref name="2008/09">{{Soccerbase season|id=43353|season=2008}}</ref>
|Premier League
|34||0||5||0||1||0||9{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||49||0
|-
|[[2009–10 Chelsea F.C. season|2009–10]]<ref name="2009/10">{{Soccerbase season|id=43353|season=2009}}</ref>
|Premier League
|25||0||3||0||2||0||4{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|name=CS}}||0||35||0
|-
|[[2010–11 Chelsea F.C. season|2010–11]]<ref name="2010/11">{{Soccerbase season|id=43353|season=2010}}</ref>
|Premier League
|28||0||2||0||0||0||6{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|name=CS}}||0||37||0
|-
|[[2011–12 Chelsea F.C. season|2011–12]]<ref name="2011/12">{{Soccerbase season|id=43353|season=2011}}</ref>
|Premier League
|22||0||5||0||1||0||9{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||colspan="2"|—||37||0
|-
|[[2012–13 Chelsea F.C. season|2012–13]]<ref name="2012/13">{{Soccerbase season|id=43353|season=2012}}</ref>
|Premier League
|22||0||3||0||1||0||9{{efn|Five appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]] and four in [[UEFA Europa League]]}}||0||3{{efn|One appearance in FA Community Shield, one appearance in [[FIFA Club World Cup]], one appearance in [[UEFA Super Cup]]}}||0||38||0
|-
|[[2013–14 Chelsea F.C. season|2013–14]]<ref name="2013/14">{{Soccerbase season|id=43353|season=2013}}</ref>
|Premier League
|24||1||2||1||2||0||7{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|Appearance in UEFA Super Cup}}||0||36||2
|-
|[[2014–15 Chelsea F.C. season|2014–15]]<ref name="2014/15">{{Soccerbase season|id=43353|season=2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|18||0||2||0||4||0||2{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||colspan="2"|—||26||1
|-
|[[2015–16 Chelsea F.C. season|2015–16]]<ref name="2015/16">{{Soccerbase season|id=43353|season=2015}}</ref>
|Premier League
|25||0||2||0||2||0||4{{efn|name=UCL}}||1||0||0||33||1
|-
|[[2016–17 Chelsea F.C. season|2016–17]]<ref name="2016/17">{{Soccerbase season|id=43353|season=2016}}</ref>
|Premier League
|0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!249!!1!!32!!3!!20!!0!!63!!2!!8!!0!!372!!6
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Tianjin TEDA F.C.|Tianjin TEDA]]
|[[2017 Chinese Super League|2017]]<ref name="2017/18">{{Soccerbase season|id=43353|season=2017}}</ref>
|[[Chinese Super League]]
|13||1||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||13||1
|-
|[[2018 Chinese Super League|2018]]<ref name="2018/19">{{Soccerbase season|id=43353|season=2018}}</ref>
|Chinese Super League
|18||2||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||18||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!31!!3!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||31!!3
|-
|[[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]]
|[[2018–19 Middlesbrough F.C. season|2018–19]]<ref name="2018/19"/>
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
|18||1||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||19||1
|-
|[[Trabzonspor]]
|[[2019–20 Trabzonspor season|2019–20]]<ref name="2019/20">{{Soccerbase season|id=43353|season=2019}}</ref>
|[[Süper Lig]]
|19||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||5{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in [[UEFA Europa League]]}}||0||colspan="2"|—||24||0
|-
|[[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]
|[[2020–21 Stoke City F.C. season|2020–21]]<ref name="2020/21">{{Soccerbase season|id=43353|season=2020}}</ref>
|Championship
|39||0||1||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||41||0
|-
|[[Kuwait SC]]
|[[2021–22 Kuwaiti Premier League|2021–22]]<ref name=Soccerway/>
|[[Kuwait Premier League]]
|0||0||0||0||0||0||2{{efn|Appearances in [[AFC Cup]]}}||0||colspan="2"|—||2||0
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!362!!6!!34!!3!!21!!0!!70!!2!!8!!0!!495!!11
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name="NFT">{{NFT|12398|name=Obi, John Mikel|access-date=20 October 2011}}</ref>
|-
!National team||Year||Apps||Goals
|-
|rowspan=14|[[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]]
|2006||5||1
|-
|2007||4||0
|-
|2008||8||1
|-
|2009||5||0
|-
|2010||8||0
|-
|2011||8||0
|-
|2012||2||1
|-
|2013||17||1
|-
|2014||13||0
|-
|2015||3||0
|-
|2016||5||1
|- 
|2017||4||1
|-
|2018||5||0
|-
|2019||4||0
|-
!colspan=2|Total||91||6
|}

:''Scores and results list Nigeria's goal tally first.''<ref name="NFT"/>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! No. !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
|-
| 1 || 27 January 2006 || [[Port Said Stadium]], [[Port Said]], Egypt || {{fb|ZIM}} ||align=center| '''2'''–0 ||align=center| 2–0 || [[2006 Africa Cup of Nations]]
|-
| 2 || 29 January 2008 || [[Sekondi-Takoradi Stadium]], [[Sekondi-Takoradi]], Ghana || {{fb|BEN}} ||align=center| '''1'''–0 ||align=center| 2–0 || [[2008 Africa Cup of Nations]]
|-
| 3 || 13 October 2012 || [[U.J. Esuene Stadium]], [[Calabar]], Nigeria || {{fb|LBR}} ||align=center| '''4'''–1 ||align=center| 6–1 || [[2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification]]
|-
| 4 || 20 June 2013 || [[Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova]], [[Salvador, Bahia|Salvador]], Brazil || {{fb|URU}} ||align=center| '''1'''–1 ||align=center| 1–2 || [[2013 FIFA Confederations Cup Group B|2013 FIFA Confederations Cup]]
|-
| 5 || 12 November 2016 || rowspan=2|[[Godswill Akpabio International Stadium]], [[Uyo]], Nigeria || {{fb|ALG}} ||align=center| '''2'''–0 ||align=center| 3–1 ||rowspan=2| [[2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF third round|2018 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| 6 || 1 September 2017 || {{fb|CMR}} || align=center | '''2'''–0 || align=center | 4–0
|}

==Honours==
'''Chelsea'''<ref name=Soccerway />
*[[Premier League]]: [[2009–10 Premier League|2009–10]], [[2014–15 Premier League|2014–15]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/3102/John-Obi-Mikel/overview |title=John Obi Mikel: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref>
*[[FA Cup]]: [[2006–07 FA Cup|2006–07]], [[2008–09 FA Cup|2008–09]], [[2009–10 FA Cup|2009–10]], [[2011–12 FA Cup|2011–12]]
*[[EFL Cup|Football League Cup]]: [[2006–07 Football League Cup|2006–07]], [[2014–15 Football League Cup|2014–15]]
*[[FA Community Shield]]: [[2009 FA Community Shield|2009]]
*[[UEFA Champions League]]: [[2011–12 UEFA Champions League|2011–12]]
*[[UEFA Europa League]]: [[2012–13 UEFA Europa League|2012–13]]

'''Nigeria'''<ref name=Soccerway />
*[[Africa Cup of Nations]]: [[2013 Africa Cup of Nations|2013]]; third place: [[2006 African Cup of Nations|2006]], [[2010 African Cup of Nations|2010]], [[2019 Africa Cup of Nations|2019]]

'''Nigeria Olympic'''<ref name=Soccerway />
*[[Football at the Summer Olympics|Summer Olympics]] bronze medalist: [[Football at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2016]]

'''Individual'''
*[[FIFA U-20 World Cup|FIFA World Youth Championship]] Silver Ball: [[2005 FIFA World Youth Championship|2005]]
*[[CAF Awards|CAF Most Promising Talent of the Year]]: 2005
*Chelsea Young Player of the Year: 2007,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2014/05/hazard-wins-player-of-the-year.html|title=Hazard wins player of the year|access-date=8 August 2016}}</ref> 2008
*[[CAF Team of the Year]]: 2005, 2013
*[[2013 Africa Cup of Nations#CAF AFCON Team of the Tournament|Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament]]: [[2013 Africa Cup of Nations|2013]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 February 2013 |title=Pitroipa named Player of Tournament |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/21416197 |access-date=14 March 2023}}</ref>
*[[African Footballer of the Year]] runner-up: 2013

'''Orders'''
* [[File:Order_of_the_Niger_civil_division_ribbon.svg|60x60px]] Member of the [[Order of the Niger]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Okeleji |first=Oluwashina |author-link=Oluwashina Okeleji |date=13 February 2013 |title=Presidential reward for Super Eagles |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/21450619 |department=Sport |work=BBC |location=Lagos |access-date=19 March 2024}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{NFT player}}
*{{Soccerway}}
*{{Soccerbase}}
*{{ESPN FC}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Nigeria squads
| bg = #008751
| fg = White
| bordercolor = #00703C
| list1 = 
{{Nigeria squad 2006 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Nigeria squad 2008 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Nigeria squad 2010 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Nigeria squad 2013 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Nigeria squad 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{Nigeria squad 2014 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Nigeria men's football squad 2016 Summer Olympics}}
{{Nigeria squad 2018 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Nigeria squad 2019 Africa Cup of Nations}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| bordercolor = black
| list1 = 
{{CAF Most Promising Talent of the Year}}
{{2005 CAF Team of the Year}}
{{2013 CAF Team of the Year}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mikel John Obi}}
[[Category:1987 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Igbo sportspeople]]
[[Category:Footballers from Jos]]
[[Category:Nigerian men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Pepsi Football Academy players]]
[[Category:Plateau United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Lyn Fotball players]]
[[Category:Chelsea F.C. players]]
[[Category:Tianjin Jinmen Tiger F.C. players]]
[[Category:Middlesbrough F.C. players]]
[[Category:Trabzonspor footballers]]
[[Category:Stoke City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Eliteserien players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:Chinese Super League players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:Süper Lig players]]
[[Category:UEFA Champions League–winning players]]
[[Category:UEFA Europa League–winning players]]
[[Category:Nigeria men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:Nigeria men's under-20 international footballers]]
[[Category:Olympic footballers for Nigeria]]
[[Category:Nigeria men's international footballers]]
[[Category:2006 Africa Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:2008 Africa Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:2010 Africa Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:2013 Africa Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:2013 FIFA Confederations Cup players]]
[[Category:2014 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:Footballers at the 2016 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:2018 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2019 Africa Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:Africa Cup of Nations–winning players]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2016 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic bronze medalists for Nigeria]]
[[Category:Olympic medalists in football]]
[[Category:Nigerian expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Norway]]
[[Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in England]]
[[Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in China]]
[[Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Turkey]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Norway]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in China]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Kuwait]]
[[Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Kuwait]]
[[Category:Kuwait SC players]]
[[Category:Members of the Order of the Niger]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian sportsmen]]