Former Super Eagles captain Jay-Jay Okocha has said he only became aware of his racial identity after moving to Germany, where high levels of racism shocked him and later inspired his signature style of play.
The football legend made the comments in a recent interview reflecting on the start of his European career.
“You know, this is a true story. When I first moved to Europe, it was Germany that I went to. And the rate of racism was too high then,” Okocha said. “I never knew I was black until I got to Germany.”
After signing his first professional contract, the midfielder said he searched for a legal way to respond to the discrimination he faced.
“When I got the opportunity to sign a deal and I signed, I was like, how do I pay these people back? You know, what do I do that is legal to show that I’m also a racist?” he recalled.
Instead of anger, Okocha channelled the experience into his game. “So I figured out that the only way is to keep dribbling. So I started dribbling them,” he said, adding with a laugh: “I said, I will dribble them so that some people will chop grass.”
The remarks, which quickly circulated online, drew praise for the way the former Super Eagles star transformed adversity into one of the most entertaining playing styles of his generation.
