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Joe Aribo has played more games than any other player on planet earth this season in a gruelling campaign that highlights the walls he has run through for club and country, Megasportsarena.com reports.
The Glasgow Rangers midfielder’s current run of matches sits on 63 between the Scottish giants and the Super Eagles of Nigeria and according to reports, this is the most of any professional player, and by proxy likely the world, this campaign.
What’s even crazier is that the current campaign could have as many as six more games which means, if Joe Aribo is involved in them all, he could play 69 times in one season!
That’s quite an astonishing record for any player and perhaps it highlights the midfielder’s dip in form at a pivotal point in the season.
After returning from Africa Cup of Nations duty with Nigeria, Aribo took some time to find form again after an impressive first half of the campaign.
Physical and mental exhaustion can play a big part in this and maybe this marathon season offers an explanation into why Aribo didn’t influence as many games as he would’ve liked at the turn of the year.
No-one at Rangers covered themselves in glory domestically during this period and perhaps at times we have been too hard on a player who has clearly gone through the mill for the team.
Ex-Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson paid tribute to the midfielder in the Scottish Sun article and believes there could still be more to come from Joe before the campaign is out.
“With Alfredo Morelos and Roofe out injured, Joe provided that physicality up front against Leipzig,” said Thomson.
“His performance in the second half was brilliant under the circumstances.
“There is every chance he’ll be asked to perform that role again. The manager has faith in him to do that job and I’m sure he will come up with the goods.
“The phenomenal number of games he has played so far highlights just how important he is to Rangers and Nigeria.
“He is now one of the first names on the team-sheet for both of them.
“I’m sure he must be feeling it a little bit, but this is the time of the season you need to dig deep and forget the fatigue.
“Joe has played in so many different positions for Rangers over the past few seasons. He is the type of player who can play anywhere across the middle and in any of the front three positions.
“He also played left-back in a game under Steven Gerrard last season, so that just shows his versatility.
“He is a brilliant guy to have in your squad and he is clearly one the manager really trusts.
“Being at his excellent best week in, week out is difficult when you are asked to do so many different roles.
“But his performance levels for the last 24 months have been exceptional.”
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