Manchester United of England striker, Odion Jude Ighalo o Friday put aside his ongoing woes with The Red Devils, as the former Super Eagles’ hitman, who has found game time hard to get since signing a loan extension at Old Trafford in June, led the way in celebrating Christmas, megasportsarena.com reports.
Rather than bow to the emotional pressure of what has turned out to be a sordid loan extension with United, Ighalo was prominent among an array of Nigerian players that took different steps towards enjoying this year’s Christmas festivities, with the trio of John Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Samuel Chukwueze showing how yuletide can be enjoyed in varying dimensions.
The dimensions expressed in different dimensions by Mikel, Moses and Chukwueze include enjoying family comfort, relaxing all alone and adorning a personal new look, as they all get into the festive mood and make extensive plans on how to spend Christmas Day.
Such it is that Mikel, who now plays for Stoke City of England, put aside his ongoing battles with injury to hang out with his twin daughters and his partner, Olga, as they enjoy the opportunity of rare time together, and he former Super Eagles’ captain showed that he enjoyed every single moment of it.
That was in stark contrast with the lonesome picture Moses cut, as the winger-turned-right-wing-back, who is on loan from Chelsea of England to Spartak Moscow of Russia, decided to hang out all alone, while relaxing indoors.
Rather than step to enjoy leisure opportunities that the season offers, the former Super Eagles’ star, who recently played on loan at Fernebahce of Turkey and Inter Milan of Italy, took to social media to reveal how he made himself comfortable by reclining on a sofa.
However, in order not to cut a lonely façade that could get fans and friends worried about his mental base at a point like this, Moses took extra care to add another post about his kids, with a catchy post that stated: “My two little legends Hundred points.”
Moses added a general greeting for all well wishers and football fans across the world, as the former Crystal Palace and Wigan Athletic of England star, who had previously played on loan at Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham United added: “Merry Christmas everyone!Christmas tree Have an amazing day wherever you are Red heart.”
That, though, is not the case for Villarreal of Spain winger, Chukwueze, who simply went into the barber’s salon to get a haircut; as he apparently decided to mark the festive season with a flamboyant new look.
For the next few days heading into 2021, Chukwueze will appear with a fleshy haircut that may remind anyone about British rock stars and American hip-hop artistes, as the product of Diamond Football Academy of Umuahia stepped up his famous knack for flamboyant hair styles.
Omonia Nicosia of Cyprus defender, Shehu Abdullahi also opted for a personal individual pose on Christmas day, as he reclined on his sofa and posted catchy words on social media; as he pointed out the need to give thanks to God and celebrate the end of 2020.
Abdullahi stated philosophically: “There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we’re here for something else besides ourselves. Let’s enjoy the festive period and share love with our family and friends.”
However, players spending time with their families soon hogged more headlines than others, as Ighalo, who is coming to the end of his loan spell from Shanghai Shenhua of China, took time out with his loved ones, as did Moses Simon, who is enjoying a roller-coaster season with FC Nantes of France.
Ighalo and Simon took to social media with photographs of how they enjoyed Christmas day with their families, but they did not fail to also remember their fans and compatriots at home and abroad, as they both splashed special yuletide greetings alongside their homely pictures.
The family atmosphere is also ideal for Mikel, who is down with injury and has not figured for Stoke in their last six English Championship fixtures, due to fitness issues and, though the 33-year-old star started the club’s first 14 games of the season, he will not get the opportunity of repeating the heroics he offered in The Potters’ 1-0 win over Aston Villa during the fourth round.
It had earlier been thought the former Super Eagles captain and ex-Chelsea ace was nearing a return to match fitness levels, but O’Neill has now confirmed a new setback in the star’s recovery from the injury that has kept him on the sidelines since November 28.
O’Neill said: “John won’t be fit in time for the game. It was a game he was very keen to be involved in but he had a little set back on Friday and we’ve just got to manage him over this week for the game on Saturday to see if he’s ready for that.”
Mikel, though, will not let the injury setback spoil his yuletide fun, as he also took time out to add a catchy post on social media, with a short yet symbolic message that read: “A very Merry Christmas everyone Christmas tree🕊Santa Claus.”
