Barcelona superstar, Lionel Messi, recently tied the nuptial knot with childhood girlfriend, Antonella Roccuzzo.
The pair courted for over 17 years, a relationship which produced two beautiful kids, Thiago, four, and Mateo, one.
Messi’s bold step is certainly a model for other footballers to follow.
Here are four eligible Nigerian players we expect to take a leaf from the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
- Mikel Obi
If there’s one player who should quickly follow Messi’s track, then it is Super Eagles skipper, Mikel Obi. Apparently, because the ex-Chelsea midfielder has a lot in common with his Argentine counterpart. First, they both played together at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2005 where Mikel narrowly lost the Golden Boot to the Barca maestro. Also, for many years now, the Nigerian has been in a serious affair with Olga Diyachenko. And like Messi, their relationship is blessed two kids.
- Obafemi Martins
Another Nigerian player who should consider settling down is China-based forward, Obafemi Martins. In terms of age, the ex-Newcastle United star is two years older than Messi and even turned professional long before the Argentine. To add to that, Martins is speculated to have two kids like the 30-year-old. He is also believed to be emotionally entangled to Juliet Bawuah, sister of Italy striker, Mario Balotelli.
- Emmanuel Emenike
Emmanuel Emenike is undoubtedly one of Nigeria’s most successful footballers. He was top scorer at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations which the country won and has picked up many accolades at his club, Fenerbahce. Perhaps, his inability to take that bold marital step is his biggest bane. Emenike is alleged to be dating Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) 2014 winner, Iheoma Nnadi. But nothing serious has so far come out of it.
- Ikechukwu Uche
Of all four, Ikechukwu Uche evidently is the oldest at 33. Yet, the skilful forward seems unperturbed about his bachelor status. His somewhat modest lifestyle appears to have taken away the public eyes from his love life. Notwithstanding, the striker, who these days ply his trade at Gimnàstic, should consider emulating Messi who he has faced so many times in the Spanish League.
