Tianjin Teda of China midfielder, John Mikel has downplayed speculation over his future in the Super Eagles, as the Nigerian captain says he is still fully committed to the national team.
In the wake of his exclusion from the Eagles’ list for their fourth straight match after the World Cup, footballlive.ng can report that speculation is spreading like wildfire that Mikel has retired from the Nigerian squad.
His former colleague at Chelsea, Victor Moses took a similar course when he announced his retirement publicly few weeks after starring at the World Cup, and scoring a in a 2-1 loss to Argentina, but no official word has come from Mikel about his future with the squad.
However, Mikel has now spoken out about his latest exclusion from the Eaglets’ list of invitees, saying it is only because he is still facing some fitness issues and insists he has not retired from Nigeria’s team.
Mikel also hinted that he is now focusing attention fully on helping his club end well in the Chinese Super League, where the season has only three games to the end, with Teda just three points from relegation.
He added: “My commitment to the national team remains 100%; I still remain a part of the team and will always support the lads.
“The Nations Cup remains our ultimate goal for now and we are just one point away from reaching that target.
“I’m still not ready to come back yet. Still have some physical and fitness issues. I wish the team well and will always do.”
