'I was in pain' - Chelsea icon Mikel shares update on hamstring injury suffered v Liverpool Legends

John Obi Mikel has provided an update on the injury he sustained during the first half of Chelsea Legends' 1-0 defeat to Liverpool Legends in a charity match held on October 11 at Stamford Bridge.

The retired Nigeria international was named in the starting lineup by Chelsea Legends manager Roberto Di Matteo but was unable to return for the second half after picking up a hamstring injury. 

Before being substituted, Mikel received treatment on the pitch and was seen stretching his hamstring.

Mikel revealed that the injury initially caused significant discomfort, but he is now feeling much better and has resumed light training.

"I pulled a little bit of my hamstring. After a couple of weeks, I feel a lot better," Mikel said on The Obi One podcast. 

"I've been training again, obviously, doing my runs every morning and just getting back into shape. 

"A couple of days after the game, the body was really, really telling on me, I couldn't move. My whole body was aching. I was in pain."

Mikel, who last played professionally in 2022, admitted that returning to the pitch after a long break took a toll on his body, even in a charity match setting.

"If you haven't played the game for such a long time, and then you play again, a Legends game where the pace is crap, you still come out of it feeling so tired. It's incredible," he added.

"It just shows what you've done for so many years, and once you stop, the body just goes. But it was for a good cause. I love playing those charity games because they support the Chelsea Foundation."

During his ten-and-a-half-year spell at Chelsea, Mikel won an impressive collection of honours, including two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League, before departing the club in 2017.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner officially retired from professional football in September 2022, concluding a distinguished career that also saw him represent Lyn 1896 FK, Trabzonspor, Middlesbrough, Stoke City and Kuwait SC.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: chelseafc.com

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com