Nigeria Super Eagles legend Jay Jay Okocha named 'Africa's greatest' by Real Madrid icon

Nigerian football legend Austine ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha has received a glowing tribute from one of the game’s greats and Brazilian icon Roberto Carlos. 

Pulse Sports Nigeria can report that Brazilian legend Carlos has praised the former Super Eagles captain Okocha, describing him as a Brazilian who did spectacular things with the ball.

The 51-year-old known for his remarkable free-kick ability started his career at Brazilian clubs Uniao and Atletico Mineiro. 

He moved to Europe after two years at Atletico and joined Serie A giant Inter Milan where he spent just a season. 

Carlos joined Real Madrid in the summer of 1996 and went on to have a successful career at Los Blancos.

Carlos, who also had stint in the Turkish league, where ex-Nigeria international Okocha also played had some kind words for the Nigerian legend.

Speaking about the toughest African he had played against, the former Inter man described Okocha as a special who looked Brazilian. 

“Okocha for me,” Carlos stated in a video shared on the social media platform TikTok. 

“Okocha looked like a Brazilian player playing. Okocha was spectacular. Seeing him play around the world, for his country, the clubs he played for.”

The Real Madrid legend added that Jay Jay had many skills that were typical of Brazilians. 

“In my opinion, Okocha had many skills of a Brazilian player,” he added. 

“He played with elegance when he dribbled. He was difficult to defend. For me, he was an icon of African football.”

In a related development, Okocha and two other Nigerian football icons were recently included in the Premier League Africa XI.

The trio was part of the team unveiled at a lavish ceremony to celebrate Premier League’s 30th anniversary hosted by SuperSport in Lagos.

The Africa XI were picked from a list of 30 players who had distinguished themselves in the last 30 years in the Premier League.

After voting was done by fans in Africa and the world, three Nigerians were voted into the greatest XI to ever play in the famous league.

Bolton hero and icon Okocha, who was so good they named him twice, was the highest-ranked Nigerian on the list after he finished fifth per this report from Pulse Sports Nigeria.