Jay Jay Okocha Claims Brazilian Legend and Former PSG Teammate Ronaldinho Tried to Imitate His Skills

Jay Jay Okocha Claims Brazilian Legend and Former PSG Teammate Ronaldinho Tried to Imitate His Skills

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:06 PM
In this article:
A. A. Okocha
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  • Jay Jay Okocha and Ronaldinho played together at French club Paris Saint-Germain where they formed an incredible partnership
  • The Brazilian youngster joined the Nigerian superstar at the club in 2001 and they played together for two years
  • Okocha disclosed that young Ronaldinho tried to copy some of his incredible skills during their time together

Former Nigerian international Jay Jay Okocha once stated that Brazilian sensation Ronaldinho attempted to emulate his magical dribbling skills.

The pair played alongside each other at the French club Paris Saint-Germain from 2001 to 2003, but it was the Brazilian who met the Nigerian at the Parisian club.

In 2001, Ronaldinho joined PSG at the age of 21 when he signed from Gremio as he struggled to find his fit in Europe, OJB Sport reports.

Jay Jay Okocha, Super Eagles, Ronaldinho, PSG
Jay Jay Okocha says Ronaldinho tried to copy his dribbling skills. Photo: Shaun Botterill
Source: Getty Images

During a chat with Egyptian TV, Jay Jay Okocha stated that the then young player learnt a lot from him and tried to copy some of his skills.

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Okocha told ‘On time sports:

“Ronaldinho tried to imitate some of my skills and dribbles, he was still a young player before I left for England and he joined Barcelona.”

Cameroonian legend and the country’s current FA president. Samuel Eto'o, who was a teammate of Ronaldinho at FC Barcelona, also stated that Okocha never received his deserved recognition.

Eto’o said in an interview reported by Onvoitout as per African Football:

“What we saw Ronaldinho do a few years ago, Jay-Jay (Okocha) had done 10 or 15 years before and he never had the recognition of others.
“And that’s what happens when it comes to Africa.”

The moment Eto’o called on the opposition to sub off Okocha

Meanwhile, Okocha dazzled during a testimonial match back in 2016 to the point that Cameroonian legend Samuel Eto’o called on the opposing bench to replace the master dribbler.

Jay-Jay, who was given the moniker ‘so good they named him twice’, had a remarkable career as he featured for Fenerbahce, Paris Saint-Germain and English club Bolton Wanderers.

The opponents could barely contain him and in the 23rd minute, Eto'o was begging for him to come off the pitch, not bad for a man who hadn't played for the previous six years.

Okocha recounts meeting Oliver Kahn

Sports Brief earlier reported that Okocha has disclosed that he later met with incredible goalkeeper Oliver Kahn years after his incredible goal against the German in 1993.

The skilful superstar who spent four years at Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt ripped the entire Karlsruher SC defence before putting the ball past Kahn.

Jay-Jay dribbled and nutmegged about five defenders before hitting it low into the corner and then went on with an iconic celebration as he pulled off his shirt.

Authors
Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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